Anne Hathaway has spoken candidly about her experience portraying a pop star in the upcoming film “Mother Mary,” admitting that despite extensive vocal training, she does not perceive comfortable performing as a musician on stage. The actress, known for her roles in films such as “The Devil Wears Prada” and “Les Misérables,” revealed in an interview that while she underwent years of singing lessons for the part, the world of pop music remains outside her personal comfort zone.
Her comments come amid promotional activities for two major film projects: the sequel to “The Devil Wears Prada” and “Mother Mary,” in which she plays a fictional pop star whose performances include songs by artists such as FKA Twigs, Jack Antonoff, and Charli XCX. Hathaway emphasized that acting and musical performance require different skill sets, noting that she feels more at ease working through the “filter” of a character rather than exposing herself fully as a performer in front of large audiences.
According to a verified interview with the New York Times, Hathaway stated that she found the technical aspects of singing into a microphone challenging at first, saying, “To my great horror and dismay, I realized I had no idea how to sing into a microphone.” She further explained that pop music demands a kind of effortless energy that does not come naturally to her, adding, “Pop music is about effortless power, which quite frankly is not my thing. I am anything but effortless.”
The actress likewise shared that she does not enjoy the idea of performing in front of large crowds, stating, “I am so incredibly not a pop star,” and that she prefers the protective layer acting provides, where she does not have to “put her whole self on display.” These reflections were made during press events for “Mother Mary,” including its premiere in London, where she appeared alongside co-star Michaela Coel.
Beyond her film work, Hathaway continues to be recognized for her contributions to cinema. In 2026, she was named one of the world’s most beautiful people by People magazine, a distinction she has acknowledged publicly. Her career spans decades, beginning with her breakthrough role in “The Princess Diaries” (2001), and includes critically acclaimed performances in films such as “Brokeback Mountain,” “Rachel Getting Married,” and “Les Misérables,” for which she won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress.
More recently, she has appeared in projects like “The Idea of You” (2024) and the miniseries “WeCrashed” (2022), and is set to reprise her role in the highly anticipated sequel to “The Devil Wears Prada.” Her husband, Adam Shulman, whom she married in 2012, and their two children remain part of her private life, which she generally keeps separate from her public engagements.
As she promotes her latest films, Hathaway’s honesty about the challenges of stepping outside her artistic comfort zone offers insight into the preparation required for roles that demand new skills. Her acknowledgment that musical performance is not her strength, despite dedicated training, underscores the distinction between acting and live musical artistry.
For updates on her upcoming film releases and promotional appearances, audiences can follow official announcements from the production studios involved in “Mother Mary” and “The Devil Wears Prada 2,” as well as verified entertainment news outlets.
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