Anne Hathaway’s Journey from ‘Hatha-hate’ to Hollywood Triumph: The Devil Wears Prada 2 Marks Her Return
Anne Hathaway is riding high on the success of The Devil Wears Prada 2, but her journey to this moment has been far from easy. Two decades after the original film’s release, Anne’s career has experienced highs, lows, and a wave of online vitriol that nearly derailed her career.
In the early 2010s, Anne became the target of a relentless wave of online hate, so intense that it birthed the term ‘Hatha-hate’. The backlash led to the actress losing roles and struggling with her mental health, despite her Oscar win for Les Miserables in 2013.
The Rise of ‘Hatha-hate’
The Hatha-hate train began to pick up momentum after Anne’s universally-panned Oscars hosting gig in 2011, co-hosted with James Franco. Their performance was criticized for lack of chemistry and energy, and Franco’s jabs at Anne only fueled the fire.
“I think the Tasmanian Devil would look stoned standing next to Anne Hathaway,” he quipped, echoing the sentiment of many critics at the time. Anne later described the Oscars hosting gig as a “no-win situation,” noting the difficulty of pulling off such a high-profile role.
Her casting as Catwoman in The Dark Knight Rises also drew criticism from DC Comics fans who deemed her “not sexy enough,” while her every role and speech was scrutinized with growing negativity. In 2013, after winning her Oscar, Anne’s acceptance speech was savagely ridiculed, with her opening line “it came true” going viral for all the wrong reasons.
The Psychological Toll of Public Backlash
As the hate piled up, Anne became the subject of public scrutiny not just for her roles, but for her entire persona. Psychologists discussed the online hate in The New York Times, with experts suggesting that the hate may have snowballed due to the mob mentality of social media, where people were eager to pile on.
Anne revealed that the constant barrage of hate took a serious toll on her. “I felt wrong standing there in a gown that cost more than some people will see in their lifetime,” she said of the Oscars night. “I tried to pretend that I was happy, and I got called out on it. It sucks. But you learn from it.”
A Career Rescued by Christopher Nolan
During the darkest days of Hatha-hate, Anne found an unlikely savior in director Christopher Nolan. When other roles became scarce due to the toxic narrative surrounding her, Nolan cast Anne as the lead in Interstellar in 2014, a pivotal moment that reignited her career.
Reflecting on that time, Anne credited Nolan for his unwavering support, saying, “I had an angel in Christopher Nolan, who did not care about the toxic online narrative. He gave me one of the most beautiful roles I’ve ever had.”
Her career was soon back on track, with roles in Ocean’s 8, Hustle, and WeCrashed. The “Hatha-haters” were gradually silenced as Anne proved her talent and resilience.
Embraced by Hollywood Once Again
Today, Anne is once again thriving in Hollywood. Her role in The Devil Wears Prada 2 has been met with rave reviews, with fans and critics alike praising her performance. But her journey has been far from easy, and Anne has remained open about the personal toll of her earlier experiences.
In a 2022 speech, Anne shared how the intense public scrutiny affected her sense of self: “Humiliation is such a rough thing to go through. The key is to not let it close you down,” she said. “You have to stay bold.”
Moving Forward with New Projects
Anne’s comeback is far from over. She has four films in production, including Nolan’s The Odyssey and the film adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s bestselling novel Verity. While her career continues to soar, Anne remains grounded, always reflecting on the lessons learned from her challenging journey.
Yet, despite her newfound success, Anne’s life in the spotlight isn’t entirely without its challenges. At the 2024 Met Gala, Anne was photographed alongside Blake Lively, another figure currently facing public scrutiny. The image went viral, sparking criticism from some fans who believed Anne’s association with Lively could undo her efforts to repair her public image.
A Lesson in Resilience
Anne’s story is one of resilience in the face of overwhelming adversity. Despite the online hate, Anne has continued to rise above, embracing both the highs and lows of life in the public eye. Her journey serves as a poignant reminder that success and happiness are not just defined by fame and accolades—but by the strength to persevere through the toughest of times.
