Anne Hathaway is entering what may be the biggest chapter of her career in more than a decade, but behind the dazzling red carpets, major movie releases, and seemingly effortless confidence, the Oscar winner says the journey has been anything but easy.
In a candid new interview, Hathaway reflected on everything from plastic surgery rumors and the pressures of fame to nearly quitting her upcoming psychological drama, Mother Mary, while balancing what is shaping up to be one of the busiest years of her career.
The actress, who welcomed a journalist into her Upper West Side office over homemade salmon bowls prepared from leftovers she and her husband cook every Monday night, appeared relaxed and makeup free, dressed casually after a Pilates session.
But even amid racks of designer clothing for upcoming press tours, Hathaway admitted she is deeply aware of how fortunate this moment in her life feels.
“These days,” Hathaway said, she is enjoying one of the happiest periods of her life, surrounded by family, thriving professionally, and living in New York City, which she described as the city of her dreams. The actress shares two sons with husband Adam Shulman and said she is cherishing the stage of parenthood they are currently in.
Yet despite the joy, Hathaway acknowledged that life still demands resilience.
“Life asks so much of everyone to just stay in it,” she reflected. “Why would we work so hard if not to experience joy, if not to contribute to beauty or experience beauty?”
Professionally, Hathaway’s schedule is nothing short of packed. Due to overlapping production and release schedules, the actress now has five films arriving within six months, making 2026 one of her most significant career years in recent memory. Among the projects are “Mother Mary,” “The Devil Wears Prada 2,” Christopher Nolan’s “The Odyssey,” the thriller “Verity,” and the sci fi drama “The End of Oak Street.” She is also developing new projects through her production company and preparing for The Princess Diaries 3.
But while audiences may see only polished performances, Hathaway revealed there was a point when she nearly abandoned “Mother Mary” altogether.
The actress admitted she panicked after watching early footage of herself performing original songs written by Jack Antonoff, Charli XCX, and FKA Twigs.
“This is really bad… I don’t know that I can ask people to come to see this,” Hathaway recalled thinking after seeing herself on screen. She even went home and told her husband she was considering leaving the project altogether.
Ultimately, Hathaway decided there would be “no shame” in getting fired, but there would be in quitting. Instead of walking away, she committed herself to improving, spending months taking dance lessons and continuing vocal training even after filming wrapped.
A year later, she rerecorded much of the music, earning praise from Antonoff, who reportedly noticed immediately how much work she had put in.
Her return to The Devil Wears Prada 2 also brought unexpected emotions. Hathaway admitted she initially questioned whether Andy Sachs would ever realistically return to Runway magazine after famously tossing her phone into a fountain at the end of the original film.
But she ultimately trusted the sequel’s story, crediting screenwriter Aline Brosh McKenna for making it work.
The actress also spoke candidly about the online scrutiny she continues to face, particularly the recent speculation surrounding her appearance and rumors that she secretly underwent a facelift.
After fans began circulating theories online, Hathaway addressed the rumors directly by posting a video demonstrating a hairstyling trick used to subtly lift her face on the red carpet, two small braids pinned back near the temples. While many interpreted the post as a response to cosmetic surgery rumors, Hathaway said she simply wanted to clear the air.
“These are huge medical decisions that people are presuming,” Hathaway explained, adding that she had not undergone a major procedure and joking that “it’s just two braids.” Still, she admitted she does not completely rule anything out in the future, noting that she “might still get a facelift someday.”
The conversation also prompted Hathaway to reflect on her younger years in Hollywood, including the intense scrutiny she faced during the so called “Hathahate” era. Looking back, the actress admitted fear often made her harsh with herself, something she now regrets.
She described filming the original The Devil Wears Prada at just 22 years old as an overwhelming experience, calling herself “a mess” on set.
Returning for the sequel, however, felt like a second chance, an opportunity to revisit an important chapter of her life with more confidence and gratitude.
Now, after years of personal growth, Hathaway says becoming gentler with herself has also made her gentler with others.
“To have become a more positive person, to have become a healthier person, to have become a safer person,” Hathaway said emotionally, “I was really happy that I could share that with people who were so formative and responsible for so many of the beautiful things that I have in my life.”
Even with an enviable slate of projects and renewed confidence, Hathaway admitted she still worries success could disappear tomorrow. But unlike earlier in her career, she says she now feels secure in knowing she would still be grateful for everything she has already experienced.