Meryl Streep reveals she initially rejected 'The Devil Wears Prada' over pay negotiations

Meryl Streep has revealed that she initially turned down the role of Miranda Priestly in The Devil Wears Prada before agreeing to join the 2006 film after negotiating a higher salary.

Speaking during an interview alongside Anne Hathaway, Emily Blunt and Stanley Tucci for The Devil Wears Prada 2, Streep said she recognised the film’s potential early on but was initially unwilling to accept the offer as it stood.

“I knew it was going to be a hit,” Streep said. “I read the script — the script was great. They called me up, and they made an offer, and I said ‘No. I’m not going to do it.'”

She explained that her decision changed after she tested the studio’s willingness to adjust the deal. “I wanted to see if I doubled my ask, and they went right away and said ‘Sure.'”

Reflecting on the moment, Streep said it marked a turning point in her approach to negotiating. “I’m 56 years [old] — it took me this long to understand that I could do that! I was sure of it. I was sure it would be a hit. And they needed me, I felt.”

She added that she had been considering stepping back from acting at the time. “I was ready to retire,” she said, noting she was comfortable walking away if the studio had declined her terms.

The role of Miranda Priestly went on to become one of Streep’s most recognisable performances, earning her an Academy Award nomination and contributing to a renewed phase in her career, including later films such as Mamma Mia! and It’s Complicated.

The Devil Wears Prada 2 reunites the cast two decades after the original film’s release, marking Streep’s return to live-action film after several years away from the genre.