She may have portrayed the acerbic Miranda Priestly flawlessly, but Meryl Streep says that’s the last time she’ll try method acting for a character.
Streep played the antagonistic fashion magazine editor in 2006 satirical comedy The Devil Wears Prada alongside Emily Blunt and Anne Hathaway, revealing she went to lengths to emulate the designer-wearing, high heel clad editor.
“It was horrible! I was [miserable] in my trailer. I could hear them all rocking and laughing. I was so depressed!” Streep told EW.
“I said, ‘Well, it’s the price you pay for being boss!’ That’s the last time I ever attempted a Method thing!”
It was also revealed that she kept interaction with co-stars Blunt and Hathaway to a minimum behind-the-scenes in an attempt to embrace Miranda Priestly’s ice-queen demeanour.
“Meryl is so gregarious and fun as hell, in some ways it wasn’t the most fun for her having to remove herself,” Blunt said.
“It wasn’t like she was unapproachable; You could go up to her and say, “Oh my God, the funniest thing just happened,” and she’d listen, but I don’t know if it was the most fun for her to be on set being that way.”
However, Hathaway – who played Priestly’s co-assistant – explained that while Streep gave off a purposely aloof vibe to get into character, she maintained that she always felt supported by the acting veteran.
“I did feel intimidated, but I always felt cared for,” Hathaway said.
“I knew that whatever she was doing to create that fear, I appreciated [because] I also knew she was watching out for me.”
Despite Streep’s reservations, it seemed to pay off for the star, who nabbed an Oscar nomination for Actress in a Leading Role and won the Golden Globe for Best Actress in a Motion Picture: Musical/Comedy for her role in the flick.
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