The Devil Wears Prada: 7 Surprising Facts About Anne Hathaway's Age And The Role That Defined Her Career

As of December 2025, *The Devil Wears Prada* is recognized not just as a cinematic masterpiece but as a cultural touchstone that perfectly blends high fashion, toxic workplace drama, and a compelling coming-of-age story, yet the age of its star, Anne Hathaway, remains a frequently searched point of curiosity. Fans often wonder how young the actress was when she portrayed the ambitious, initially clueless, and ultimately transformed assistant, Andrea "Andy" Sachs, in the high-stakes world of *Runway* magazine. The simple answer—23 years old—only scratches the surface of the intense pressure and fierce competition she faced to secure the role that would permanently shift her career from a "Disney Princess" to an Oscar-winning dramatic lead. This deep dive explores the definitive timeline of Hathaway's casting, the exact age she was during filming, and the incredible behind-the-scenes facts that make her performance alongside Meryl Streep and Emily Blunt even more legendary.

Anne Hathaway: A Quick Biography Snapshot

Understanding the context of Anne Hathaway's career trajectory at the time of *The Devil Wears Prada* is key to appreciating the magnitude of the role. The film served as a critical bridge between her early family-friendly work and her later, more mature dramatic roles.

• Full Name: Anne Jacqueline Hathaway
• Date of Birth: November 12, 1982
• Place of Birth: Brooklyn, New York
• Early Career Breakthrough: *The Princess Diaries* (2001)
• Pivotal Pre-*Prada* Role: *Brokeback Mountain* (2005)
• Academy Award Win: Best Supporting Actress for *Les Misérables* (2012)
• Other Major Films: *Get Smart*, *The Dark Knight Rises*, *Interstellar*, *Ocean's 8*.

The Definitive Answer: Anne Hathaway’s Age in The Devil Wears Prada

The question of Anne Hathaway’s age in *The Devil Wears Prada* requires a distinction between the filming period and the release date, though the core fact centers on her being in her early twenties.

The Age at Release: 23 Years Old

*The Devil Wears Prada* premiered on June 30, 2006. Since Anne Hathaway was born on November 12, 1982, she was 23 years old when the film hit theaters and became a massive commercial success. She would turn 24 later that year. This age placed her perfectly to portray the character of Andy Sachs, a recent college graduate attempting to navigate the unforgiving world of the fashion elite.

The Age During Filming: 22 to 23

Principal photography for the film, directed by David Frankel, took place primarily in New York City in late 2005. For instance, some scenes were filmed in October 2005.

Since her 23rd birthday was in November 2005, it means that Anne Hathaway began filming the movie when she was 22 years old and turned 23 during the production schedule. This relatively young age underscores the pressure she was under, working opposite the legendary Meryl Streep (Miranda Priestly) and the equally sharp Emily Blunt (Emily Charlton), both of whom were already established heavyweights in the industry. The rapid-fire dialogue and high-fashion stakes required a level of maturity and focus that Hathaway delivered with remarkable precision.

The Intense Casting Drama: Why Andy Sachs Almost Went to Someone Else

One of the most surprising and frequently discussed facts about *The Devil Wears Prada* is that Anne Hathaway was far from the first choice for the role of Andy Sachs. This behind-the-scenes drama adds significant context to her performance and the determination she showed to land the part.

The Studio’s First Choice: Rachel McAdams

According to recent retrospective accounts, the production studio, Fox 2000, desperately wanted Rachel McAdams, fresh off her success in *The Notebook* and *Mean Girls*, to play Andy Sachs. McAdams reportedly turned down the offer three times, preferring to focus on independent films at the time.

Hathaway Was the Ninth Choice on the List

In a revelation that highlights the competitive nature of Hollywood, Hathaway herself confirmed that she was the ninth choice on the list of potential actresses for the role. This fact is often cited in recent articles about the film, proving how close she came to losing the career-defining opportunity. To secure the part, the young actress (then 23) reportedly took an unconventional approach. She famously wrote the words "Hire Me" in the sand of a Zen garden and presented the photograph to the Fox 2000 executive. This bold move, combined with Meryl Streep's endorsement, ultimately convinced the studio to cast her.

The Lasting Legacy: From Disney Princess to Fashion Icon

*The Devil Wears Prada* was critical for Hathaway’s career, transitioning her public image from the wholesome star of *The Princess Diaries* to a serious dramatic actress capable of holding her own opposite an acting titan like Meryl Streep.

The Chemistry with Meryl Streep

Hathaway's performance as Andy Sachs is often praised for its evolution, from the frumpy, naïve newcomer to the polished, morally conflicted assistant. This transformation was made all the more compelling by the dynamic between her and Meryl Streep’s Miranda Priestly. Streep famously employed "method acting" to maintain a chilly distance from the rest of the cast, enhancing the on-screen tension between the powerful editor and her overworked assistant. This environment, while challenging, pushed Hathaway to deliver one of her most memorable performances at a pivotal age.

The 2024 Reunion and Ongoing Relevance

The film's cultural relevance remains incredibly strong, a fact cemented by a highly publicized cast reunion at the 2024 SAG Awards. Anne Hathaway, Meryl Streep, and Emily Blunt reunited on stage, delivering a short, witty skit that instantly went viral. This event, nearly two decades after the film’s release, demonstrates the enduring affection fans have for the characters and the topical nature of the film's themes—particularly the discussion around toxic workplace environments and the sacrifices made for career ambition. The reunion, along with persistent LSI keyword searches for details on the cast, the author Lauren Weisberger’s original book, and the fate of characters like Nigel Kipling (Stanley Tucci) and Nate Cooper (Adrian Grenier), ensures the film remains a constant topic of discussion. Whether discussing the iconic fashion, the sharp dialogue, or the surprising youth of its lead, *The Devil Wears Prada* continues to set the benchmark for high-stakes, fashion-forward cinema.

The Future: Sequel Rumors

Adding to the film's "fresh" appeal, rumors of a sequel, *The Devil Wears Prada 2*, occasionally surface in industry news, with some unconfirmed reports even suggesting a potential 2026 release. While official confirmation from the main cast remains elusive, the continued interest in the original story and characters proves that the world of *Runway* magazine, and the journey of Andy Sachs, is one that audiences are eager to revisit.