Emily Blunt has revealed that working alongside Meryl Streep on The Devil Wears Prada was initially intimidating, as the Oscar-winning star fully immersed herself in her iconic role as the formidable fashion editor Miranda Priestly.
Speaking on SiriusXM’s Front Row with Andy Cohen, Blunt recalled how Streep’s commitment to the character created a powerful on-set presence that left a lasting impression during filming of the 2006 hit movie.
“I mean, on the first one, I was quite scared because I feel like you were in a zone,” said Blunt, reflecting on her early interactions with Streep. The actress, known for her recent role in Oppenheimer, described the atmosphere as intense, driven by Streep’s method-like approach to portraying the icy Runway magazine editor.
Streep acknowledged the remark, confirming she had deliberately maintained a certain distance while embodying the character. “Oh, yeah. I was in that zone,” she said during the interview.
Blunt elaborated that it was more than just focus — it was a complete transformation into Miranda Priestly’s famously aloof demeanor. “She was in a Miranda zone,” Blunt added, noting that while Streep remained approachable, her usual warmth and humor were intentionally subdued to preserve the character’s authority.
“Not impenetrable, but we could come up and tell you a funny story, but you wouldn’t do your extraordinary laugh that I normally hear,” Blunt said, highlighting the contrast between Streep’s real-life personality and her on-screen persona.
When asked whether adopting such an immersive style was difficult, Streep downplayed the effort, describing it as a subtle adjustment rather than a full method transformation.
“No,” she said. “The first three days I went and hung around the camera with the director, and then we’d go on to do the scene… it was just like a remove. A slight remove. The authority, the thing.”
The Devil Wears Prada remains one of Streep’s most celebrated performances, earning her an Academy Award nomination and cementing Miranda Priestly as a defining character in modern cinema.
A sequel, The Devil Wears Prada 2, is set for release in cinemas on May 1, rekindling interest in the beloved film and its unforgettable performances.