Anne Hathaway reveals doctor banned her from ‘Hot Ones’ press tour over early labor concerns

Anne Hathaway compared doing the 'Hot Ones' challenge to a first on-screen kiss, saying she wanted her first real experience to happen outside a role
Anne Hathaway revealed pregnancy prevented her from appearing on 'Hot Ones' while promoting 'Verity' after her doctor warned she 'might go into early labor' (AP Photo)
Anne Hathaway revealed pregnancy prevented her from appearing on 'Hot Ones' while promoting 'Verity' after her doctor warned she 'might go into early labor' (AP Photo)

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Anne Hathaway has revealed why she was unable to appear on 'Hot Ones' while promoting 'Verity,' despite wanting to take part in the popular interview challenge.

Her doctor advised her against eating the spicy wings during her pregnancy over concerns that she could go into early labor.

Anne Hathaway’s pregnancy kept her off 'Hot Ones'

While promoting 'Verity' on the 'Talk of the Townsends' podcast with hosts Hannah and Benedict Townsend, Hathaway explained that she had hoped to experience the 'Hot Ones' challenge as a guest during the film's press tour.

The show is also featured in the movie, in which she plays renowned author Verity Crawford.

Hathaway explained that she “did the first three wings for real” while filming the 'Hot Ones' scene before switching to dummy wings.

She had expected to take part in the challenge for real while promoting the film, saying it “just made sense.”

However, after becoming pregnant, her doctor told her she could not do it because she “might go into early labor.”

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 30: Anne Hathaway is seen in Financial District on June 30, 2026 in New York City. (Photo by Aeon/GC Images)
Anne Hathaway is seen in Financial District on June 30, 2026 in New York City (Aeon/GC Images)

“So I still haven’t done the gauntlet yet,” Hathaway said, adding that she was unsure when she would eventually take part. “Maybe next year,” she said.

The topic came up while Hathaway was discussing the press tour featured in 'Verity.'

She revealed that several of her character's on-screen media appearances were added after she suggested them.

'Call Her Daddy with Alex Cooper' was already scripted, but Hathaway asked during a production meeting whether that was enough to establish Verity as an iconic cultural figure.

She suggested adding interviews with Gayle King and 'Hot Ones,' describing the combination as a “triple crown trifecta.”

NEW YORK, NY - OCTOBER 22: Gayle King is seen arriving at the American Ballet Theatre 2025 Fall Gala held at David Geffen Hall, Lincoln Center on October 22, 2025 in New York City.  (Photo by BG048/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images)
Gayle King is seen arriving at the American Ballet Theatre 2025 Fall Gala held at David Geffen Hall, Lincoln Center on October 22, 2025 in New York City (BG048/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images)

Anne Hathaway compares 'Hot Ones' to on-screen kiss

Hathaway also explained that she had never completed the 10-piece 'Hot Ones' gauntlet and initially had reservations about doing it as herself after portraying it in the movie.

“It was a big conversation about whether or not I would,” Hathaway said.

She compared experiencing the challenge for the first time while acting to having a first kiss on screen. “You don’t want your first kiss ever in your life to be like an on-screen kiss,” she explained, adding that she would rather have the experience be real without simultaneously playing a character.

Hathaway stars in 'Verity' alongside Dakota Johnson and Josh Hartnett.

Based on Colleen Hoover's 2018 novel, the film arrives in theaters on October 2 and stars Johnson as struggling writer Lowen, who gets the opportunity to finish Crawford's successful series, and Hartnett as Verity's husband, Jeremy.

Dakota Johnson poses for photographers upon arrival at the gala screening for the film
Dakota Johnson poses for photographers upon arrival at the gala screening for the film 'Verity' in London, Thursday, September 24, 2026 (Scott A Garfitt/Invision/AP)

'Verity' marks Hathaway's fifth film of 2026. She is also expecting her third child with husband Adam Shulman, with whom she shares sons Jonathan, 10, and Jack, 6, after announcing her pregnancy in June and later showcasing her baby bump while promoting 'The Odyssey' and 'The End of Oak Street.'

In August, Hathaway revealed on 'Jimmy Kimmel Live!' that she and Shulman know the gender of their third baby, but said they are “not saying.”

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