Simone Ashley Shares Insights on Her Role in The Devil Wears Prada 2
Simone Ashley has opened up about her role as Amiri, the new assistant to Miranda Priestly in the much-anticipated sequel to The Devil Wears Prada. The British actress, 31, describes her character as a ‘bada**’ and significantly different from Emily Blunt’s neurotic first assistant in the original 2006 film.
Ashley spoke to Elle Australia about her experience working with A-list co-stars including Meryl Streep, Anne Hathaway, and Stanley Tucci. She highlighted that while some viewers might compare her character to Blunt’s, there are clear distinctions between the two roles.
‘People are like: “Oh, she’s the new Emily” and I guess in theory she is. But I think what was funny about Emily Blunt in the first movie was that she was the first assistant but she was a nervous wreck,’ Ashley explained.
However, Amiri is more confident and ‘kind of mysterious’. According to Ashley, she is the one Miranda turns to for advice and encouragement, especially as the fashion industry and the world have evolved.
A Challenging First Day on Set
Ashley shared some behind-the-scenes stories from filming, recalling her first day on set when she was thrown into a big scene with Meryl Streep, a three-time Oscar winner. Despite the pressure, she handled it well, describing the experience as both exciting and intimidating.
She also praised her co-stars, noting that Stanley Tucci made her laugh constantly, while Anne Hathaway was ‘so sweet’ and loved singing. Ashley said Emily Blunt was ‘just so wonderful and such a laugh.’
Meryl Streep’s Salary Negotiations
The film’s success wasn’t just due to its stellar cast, but also because of Meryl Streep’s decision to negotiate a higher salary for her role in the original The Devil Wears Prada.
Streep revealed during an appearance on Today that she was prepared to walk away from the project if her demands weren’t met. She admitted she was ‘ready to retire’ before signing on to the 2006 blockbuster.
‘I read the script [for the original], the script was great. They called me up and they made an offer, and I said, “No, not going to do it,”’ she recalled.
Streep went on to say that she wanted to see if she could double her asking price, which she did. She eventually earned $4 million for the role, which earned her a Golden Globe win and an Oscar nomination.
A Global Success and the Road to a Sequel
The original film became a global smash, grossing over $325 million worldwide. Streep also revealed that early discussions about a sequel began as far back as 2009.
‘They started talking about a sequel, but we all waited until we had that good idea,’ she said.
Emily Blunt added that the team had to wait for the right story to come along. ‘There were mutterings and rumblings for years. Lots of ideas,’ she said.
Streep noted that the world had to change in a way that allowed writer Aline Brosh McKenna to develop a new concept that made sense. ‘These people had to confront what’s going on in the world of journalism and publishing and politics. Everything has kind of flipped. And that’s cool, that that had a story embedded in it.’
Big Payday for the Cast
For the sequel, Meryl Streep reportedly earned $20 million for her role, reflecting her continued star power. Meanwhile, Anne Hathaway earned $1 million for the 2006 film, which was her highest salary at the time. Emily Blunt took home around $800,000, while Stanley Tucci’s salary remains undisclosed.
The sequel promises to deliver a fresh take on the iconic story, with a new generation of characters navigating the ever-changing world of fashion and media.
Read Simone Ashley’s full interview in Elle Australia out now.
