Two decades after the cultural phenomenon that was *The Devil Wears Prada* first hit cinemas, Hollywood icons Meryl Streep and Anne Hathaway have made a much-anticipated appearance in Shanghai to drum up excitement for their upcoming sequel, holding a star-studded promotional gala at Taikoo Li Qiantan on Friday.
The red carpet event marked a landmark reunion for the beloved on-screen duo, who drew cheers from hundreds of waiting fans with their fashion-forward looks that highlighted emerging Chinese creative talent. Hathaway stepped out in an elegant layered gown crafted by Chinese designer Susan Wang, while 76-year-old Streep paired her tailored blue Saint Laurent ensemble with a delicate floral brooch from renowned Chinese jewelry artist Cindy Chao.
For Hathaway, the warm reception from Chinese fans moved her to tears as she took the stage. The actress, who first won over global audiences more than two decades ago in *The Princess Diaries*, greeted the crowd in Mandarin and opened up about the long-standing support she has received from Chinese moviegoers throughout her career. “China and Chinese fans have given me so much support. You have embraced me. You have supported my films … I just want to say how much it means to me, to be here sharing tonight with you,” she told the assembled audience.
Earlier that same day, during an exclusive roundtable interview at Shanghai’s Peninsula Hotel, Streep opened up about what it meant to return to one of her most iconic roles: the sharp, intimidating fashion magazine editor Miranda Priestly, a character loosely inspired by *Vogue* editor-in-chief Anna Wintour.
The Oscar-winning actress admitted that even in her most imaginative moments, she never expected to step back into Miranda’s shoes two decades after the original film’s release. “I never in my wildest dreams imagined that we would do a sequel 20 years later at this age,” she told China Daily. Streep added that she particularly appreciated the creative choice to align the character’s age with her own. “I like that Miranda is 76 years old. I like that very much, because I am 76 and I like to see that woman on the screen,” she explained.
Streep also shared an unexpected update on her off-screen relationship with the real-life inspiration for her character: the pair have grown from casual acquaintances to close friends over the past 20 years, and even recently collaborated on a *Vogue* cover shoot together.
The 2006 original *The Devil Wears Prada*, adapted from Lauren Weisberger’s bestselling 2003 novel, was a massive global box office success that earned two Academy Award nominations and remains a cultural touchstone for fashion and film fans around the world. The upcoming sequel recontextualizes the franchise for a dramatically changed media landscape, exploring fresh themes of fashion, industry power dynamics, and personal autonomy in the modern digital age.
In a notable release schedule shift, *The Devil Wears Prada 2* will hold its global premiere in China on April 30, two weeks ahead of its North American theatrical launch. The film will be available to audiences across China in multiple premium formats including 2D, CINITY, IMAX, Dolby Cinema, and China Giant Screen.