Kate Hudson Reflects on Turning Down Iconic Role in The Devil Wears Prada

The 2006 dramedy The Devil Wears Prada, based on Lauren Weisberger's novel of the same name, remains a classic in Hollywood. Released on June 30, 2006, the film was directed by David Frankel and produced by Wendy Finerman. It starred Anne Hathaway, Emily Blunt, and Meryl Streep, with Streep portraying the formidable Miranda Priestly, editor-in-chief of a high-profile fashion magazine.

Recently, actress and singer Kate Hudson opened up about her regret over not being able to take on a role in the film. In an interview with Deadline, Hudson expressed her disappointment, stating, "That was a bad call. And it was like a timing thing. It was one of those things where I couldn't do it, and I should've made it happen, and I didn't." She further elaborated, "That was one where when I saw it, I was like..." before adding, "But again, everything happens for a reason. There's a reason for that. That was a real like, 'I should've made that work.'"

At the time The Devil Wears Prada was in production, Hudson had already established herself with roles in films such as How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days (2003), The Skeleton Key (2005), and You, Me and Dupree (2006). She later appeared in Fool’s Gold (2008), My Best Friend’s Girl (2008), and Bride Wars (2009). Discussing her packed schedule, Hudson remarked, "It's funny, it's waves of things that are happening and people shooting at different times. It's not like you don't do them because you don't want to do them. It's like, oh, you're doing something else. And it just sucked, you know?"

The film follows the journey of Andy Sachs, an aspiring journalist portrayed by Hathaway, who takes on the role of assistant to Miranda Priestly. As she navigates the demanding and often ruthless world of fashion, Andy learns about the industry’s cutthroat nature and the sacrifices required to succeed. The screenplay was written by Aline Brosh McKenna and captured both critical and commercial success upon release.

In 2022, Hathaway hinted at the possibility of a sequel but remained uncertain about its feasibility. She commented, "I don't know if there can be a sequel. I just think that movie was in a different era. Now everything's gone so digital, and that movie is centred around the concept of producing a physical thing, and it's just, it's just very different."

Despite Hudson's missed opportunity, The Devil Wears Prada continues to be a cultural touchstone, celebrated for its stellar performances and sharp portrayal of the fashion industry.