Emily Blunt reveals last-minute style change that landed her 'The Devil Wears Prada' role
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Emily Blunt recently shared a behind-the-scenes anecdote from 'The Devil Wears Prada', revealing how a change from what she jokingly described as "Viking fashion" to a more polished semi-formal outfit helped her land the iconic role.
The actress recalled that dressing more stylishly for a final audition ultimately secured her the part of Emily Charlton, the fiercely dedicated first assistant to Miranda Priestly, played by Meryl Streep. Notably, Blunt was just 22 years old when she auditioned for the career-defining role.
How Emily Blunt landed iconic role
Speaking to the Wall Street Journal, Blunt recalled the moment she learned she was close to getting the part. In 2005, while at a club, she received a call about the film.
The 'Oppenheimer' actress said she could barely hear director David Frankel over the loud music as he told her she was likely to get the role. However, there was one final requirement: the studio wanted to see her dressed in a more stylish outfit.
“He goes, ‘The studio needs to see you in something more stylish,’” Blunt said. She explained that she had attended her first audition in casual clothes, joking that she was “sort of trying to emulate Viking fashion.”
A week later, she returned wearing a pencil skirt and a “cringey blouse” from a TV movie in which she had played a secretary. She then auditioned again for the role of Charlton.
"She’s such a delicious character because she’s so villainous, but she’s also desperate and insecure and trying to survive," said Blunt.
Frankel said many actresses auditioned for the role, but Blunt stood out. “She made me laugh with lines that no one else had made me laugh with,” he said. “I saw that tape and said, ‘That’s her.’ The character had to be British.”
Inside Emily Charlton's character inspiration
According to reports, Charlton may have been inspired by a real-life fashion industry assistant. Former Conde Nast employee Leslie Fremar has said that aspects of the character reflected her own experiences working in the magazine world.
However, the filmmaker, actors, or even insiders from the production have never officially confirmed the inspiration behind the role.
For those unfamiliar, Blunt reprised her role as Charlton in the sequel. The once-overworked assistant returns as a senior executive at Dior, with the story exploring her relationship with former colleague Andy Sachs, played by Anne Hathaway, and her growing rivalry with Miranda Priestly.
