For years, the accepted fact has been that Meryl Streep was embodying Vogue editor Anna Wintour when she stepped into Miranda Priestly’s shoes for The Devil Wears Prada. There are entire comment boards dedicated to people discussing how other real-life fashion icons refused cameos in the 2006 movie because they were afraid of offending Wintour. The fashionista in question has even been asked for her thoughts on The Devil Wears Prada 2. Now, however, Meryl Streep is saying we’ve had it wrong this entire time.
What Meryl Streep Is Saying About Her Devil Wears Prada Character
Like, to be clear, she’s saying even Anna Wintour’s had it wrong. Per Streep herself, when she was crafting the character of Miranda Priestly, while that character certainly has similarities in terms of job functionality and reputation, she did not actually design her character to be like the Vogue editor. She said during an appearance on The Late Show With Stephen Colbert:
No, we didn’t. I was just basically imitating Mike Nichols that entire time. [Not Anna Wintour] No. It’s a cross between Mike Nichols and ... if Mike Nichols and Clint Eastwood had a baby, it would be Miranda Priestly. Just the command on the set. Mike would do it with a sly humor. Miranda knows what she’s saying is snide, but it’s kind of funny, too. That little way of doing things, people take is mean, but it’s funny. I think it’s funny.
This is a big surprise to me. Even as recently as last year, Anna Wintour certainly thought Miranda Priestly was a take on her persona in the fashion industry, calling it a “fair shot.” Yet, Streep is adamant during her Late Show appearance that she mixed some of famous director Mike Nichols’ humor with Clint Eastwood’s soft-spoken seriousness. She went on to tell Colbert:
Calm. Clint never would raise his voice. he would direct and people had to lean forward to hear what he is saying. He’s say, ‘Well, that was alright [in a soft voice]. I think let’s move on.’ He’d often shoot the rehearsal, and then move on. So, his crew was like on the edge of their seats. I mean, on the balls of their feet.
Streep confirms she’s been open and honest about this with the people who matter for years, telling Stephen Colbert she’s never specifically told Clint Eastwood, but she did get the chance to tell a “thrilled” Nichols. However, I do think it’s worth pointing out she’s played up the Anna Wintour/Miranda Priestly similarities herself over the years. There was even the time she went as Priestly at a fashion show and met with Wintour.
What Is Going On With This Anna Wintour And Mike Nichols Disconnect?
Two things can be true at once, however. The Devil Wears Prada is actually a book-to-screen adaptation of a book by Lauren Weisberger. Weisberger actually came up in the fashion industry in New York, and worked as a personal assistant to Anna Wintour before publishing her “fictional” book. So, the source material that Streep was working with was likely Winter-esque, and then Streep added her own flair based on her personal experiences. This has to be the explanation; however, given how much I love this movie, it’s wild I’ve never heard Streep’s take before.
Honestly, to hear her say her character is not based on the famed Vogue editor is a total trip.
The Devil Wears Prada keeps coming up because we are finally getting a sequel this year. It’s been 20 years, but anticipation for this title is high, not only because the main cast is coming back, but also because it’s part of Anne Hathaway’s insane year of movies. The Devil Wears Prada 2 will officially hit the 2026 movie release schedule on May 1.
