Guess what? Meryl Streep had a surprisingly bold moment that mirrors her iconic character, Miranda Priestly! It’s such a fascinating story, especially considering her status in the film industry.
Before she took on the role, Streep made a move reminiscent of Miranda Priestly herself. Having already garnered two Oscars and a whopping eleven nominations by that time, she had yet to fully embrace the art of negotiating for better pay. But this time, she stood her ground.
When discussing her compensation, she told Variety, “The offer was, to my mind slightly, if not insulting, not perhaps reflective of my actual value to the project.” After asserting her worth, the studio decided to double her offer. At the age of 55, she realized, “I had just learned, at a very late date, how to deal on my own behalf.”
Streep didn’t stop there with her requests. Intent on ensuring that Miranda wouldn’t turn into a mere stereotype, she insisted on including two crucial scenes. One was “the business of fashion,” where the fashion icon educated Andy about her famous cerulean sweater, and the other showcased a vulnerable moment for her character in a hotel room without her typical facade.
Even the iconic white hair was Streep’s idea. When she showed up for a meeting with the studio head sporting her cool, icy locks, director Frankel noted in an interview with EW, “Meryl channeled Miranda in that meeting, and there was no conversation about the hair; they looked into Meryl’s eyes and never said a word.”
Source: Read the full story here
