Amid the anticipation for ‘The Devil Wears Prada 2,’ Oscar-winning actress Meryl Streep, who plays the iconic Miranda Priestly in the 2006 film ‘The Devil Wears Prada,’ has made a surprising revelation about the inspiration behind the unforgettable role. Two decades after the film’s release, fans have long speculated that Meryl’s icy, commanding fashion editor character was based on Anna Wintour. However, Streep has set the record straight and said that she was imitating someone totally different.
Miranda Priestly was inspired by Mike Nichols and Clint Eastwood
During her appearance on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, she said she drew inspiration from two Hollywood heavyweights: Mike Nichols and Clint Eastwood.“I was basically imitating Mike Nichols that whole time,” Streep said. “If Mike Nichols and Clint Eastwood had a baby… it would be Miranda Priestly.” She explained that Nichols’ directing style helped shape the character’s tone on set. “The command on the set. And Mike would do it sort of with a sly humor,” she said. “People take it as mean, but it’s funny. I think it’s funny.”While she hasn’t told Eastwood about the connection, Streep shared that Nichols knew and loved it. “I told Mike, and he was thrilled,” she said.
Meryl Streep reflects on ‘The Devil Wears Prada’
During the same appearance, Streep also reflected on how the original film was received back in 2006. At the time, it was often labeled a “chick-flick,” something she believes affected its budget. Looking back, she suggested that perception hasn’t aged well, especially as female-led films like Barbie and Mamma Mia! have gone on to achieve major success, saying the films “catch the studios by surprise (when) people want to see them, because they have girls in the center of the story, women in the center of the story.”And now, Meryl is about to relive the role, as ‘The Devil Wears Prada 2’ is set to arrive in theatres on May 1.
