The Controversial Sequel to The Devil Wears Prada Sparks Backlash
The much-anticipated sequel to the 2006 film The Devil Wears Prada has finally hit theatres, but it is already causing a stir online. A 38-second clip from the movie has gone viral and sparked significant backlash for its portrayal of an Asian character, leading to accusations of racial stereotyping and outdated stereotypes.
In the clip, the character Jin Chao, played by Chinese-American actress Helen J Shen, introduces herself to Anne Hathaway’s Andy Sachs, who is back at work at the fictional Runway magazine. Chao exhibits traits commonly associated with social awkwardness, an eagerness to please, and a wardrobe that appears unflattering. She then proceeds to list her academic achievements, including attending Yale University, maintaining a 3.86 GPA, being a lead soprano in the Whiffenpoofs, and scoring a perfect 36 on the ACT on her first attempt.
This scene has been viewed over 26 million times and has drawn criticism for perpetuating harmful stereotypes about Asian individuals. Many viewers have pointed out that the character’s portrayal is not only outdated but also offensive. One user wrote on X: “Hollywood is so out of touch it’s embarrassing. It’s 2026 and THIS is your Asian rep? The name, styling, whole look. Lazy stereotypes.” Another comment highlighted the character’s traits as more aligned with “white women’s fantasies” than authentic representations of Asian Americans.
A Japanese post on X, which has been viewed over a million times, criticizes the film for using a character named “Chinchon,” which some believe sounds like a racist slur. The post states:
“The Devil Wears Prada 2
・Asian (Chinese)
・Name is Chinchon
・Glasses
・Nerdy bookworm
・Even if they graduated from a prestigious school, they’re uncool
Hits us with the most blatant racial stereotype racism in 2026 and it gives me chills. Did they use this scene in the promo because it’s ‘funny’? #BoycottTheDevilWearsPrada2”
On the Reddit forum r/asianamerican, one commenter noted that the character’s name sounds like what a white person might think a Chinese name should be. They drew comparisons to Cho Chang, the Asian student at Hogwarts in the Harry Potter series, further highlighting the issue of stereotypical naming conventions.
The Devil Wears Prada 2 features Anne Hathaway reprising her role as Andy Sachs, alongside returning cast members Meryl Streep, Emily Blunt, and Stanley Tucci. The original film grossed $326 million globally and became a streaming hit. The sequel is set to release in China on 30 April and worldwide on 1 May. However, the controversy surrounding the portrayal of Jin Chao has already overshadowed the excitement around the film’s release. As discussions continue, many are questioning whether Hollywood is truly making progress in its representation of diverse characters or simply relying on familiar, problematic tropes.
