Almost twenty years since The Devil Wears Prada became a cultural phenomenon, the reality that inspired one of its most iconic characters has been revealed.
According to celebrity stylist Leslie Fremar, she is the inspiration for the character of Emily Charlton, who is portrayed by actress Emily Blunt. Speaking on Vogue’s “The Run-Through” podcast, Fremar said, “I know I am. I am Emily,” putting to rest long-standing speculation around the character’s origins.
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Behind the character of Emily Charlton
The film, widely believed to be inspired by Anna Wintour and her time at Vogue, drew from the experiences of author Lauren Weisberger, who had worked as Wintour’s assistant.
This photo shows Emily Blunt on the set of the upcoming film The Devil Wears Prada 2, having her look adjusted during filming. Instagram/ tdwp2 Fremar revealed that she had hired Weisberger as a junior assistant, a role that later shaped the character of Andy Sachs, played by Anne Hathaway. “I definitely told her a million girls would kill for the job,” Fremar said, recalling her time working closely with Weisberger.
Real-life experiences behind the fiction
Fremar acknowledged that parts of the story were drawn from real-life experiences within the fashion industry, including her own interactions and pressures at work.
She recalled being contacted after Weisberger’s book was published, with Wintour reportedly remarking that Fremar came across as “worse” than her in the narrative.
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Fremar also agreed that perhaps she could be too much to handle. “I probably was not very nice, and I probably was high-strung,” she commented.
Sequel to be released soon
In light of all the buzz surrounding the movie, it will be exciting to see how the sequel, The Devil Wears Prada 2, fares when it hits theaters in May 1. Popular characters from the original such as Miranda Priestly, Andy Sachs, and Emily Charlton continue to make their mark in popular culture.
