When people think of The Devil Wears Prada, it is almost impossible to imagine anyone other than Meryl Streep as the icy and unforgettable Miranda Priestly. But the reality is far more surprising. She nearly did not take the role at all. In a recent interview alongside her co-stars Anne Hathaway, Emily Blunt, and Stanley Tucci, Streep revealed that she outright rejected the film when it was first offered to her. Despite recognizing the script’s potential and believing it would be a hit, she said no.
Her reasoning was simple but strategic. She knew her value.
Streep shared that she deliberately declined the initial offer to test whether the studio would meet her price. When she doubled her salary demand, the response came quickly and decisively. The studio agreed without hesitation. That moment changed everything, not just for the film but for her career trajectory.
At the time, Streep was 56 and even considered stepping away from acting. She believed she had reached a stage where she could walk away if the terms were not right. That confidence gave her the leverage to negotiate in a way many actors, especially women in Hollywood at the time, were not encouraged to do.
The gamble paid off in a massive way. The film became a cultural phenomenon, and Streep’s performance earned her an Academy Award nomination. More importantly, it introduced her to a new generation of audiences and repositioned her as a major box office force in mainstream cinema.
What followed was one of the most successful phases of her career. She went on to star in hits like Mamma Mia! and It’s Complicated, and later won an Oscar for The Iron Lady. Looking back, The Devil Wears Prada was not just another role. It was a turning point.
Now, nearly two decades later, the story comes full circle with The Devil Wears Prada 2. The sequel marks Streep’s return to live action cinema after several years, proving that the impact of the original film still resonates.
Her decision to initially walk away from the role highlights a larger shift in Hollywood conversations about pay equity and creative control. At a time when actors often accepted what they were offered, Streep set a precedent by demanding what she believed she deserved.
In hindsight, it is clear that the studio did need her. And by recognizing that before anyone else fully did, she secured not just a better paycheck but a defining role that continues to influence pop culture today.