Celebrity
How Meryl Streep Redefined What It Means to Age in Hollywood
January 18, 2026

Ashley Graham had a brief role in “The Devil Wears Prada 2,” but one moment stood out. During filming, Meryl Streep approached her with an unexpected compliment that left a lasting impression and added a personal highlight to Graham’s experience on the highly anticipated sequel.
Ashley Graham is opening up about her time on the set of “The Devil Wears Prada 2,” including a moment with Meryl Streep that she says she will never forget.
The model, who appears in the sequel, recently shared behind-the-scenes details that offered a glimpse into the film’s production and its star power.

Meryl Streep, Stanley Tucci and Ashley Graham are seen on the set of "Devil Wears Prada II" at the Museum of Natural History on August 01, 2025 in New York City. | Source: Getty Images
Graham spoke about her experience during a fireside chat with creator Leslie Rodriguez at a JCPenney store in Brooklyn, New York, on March 28, 2026. While promoting her latest collection with the retailer, she also addressed her involvement in the upcoming film.
"I just want to make it very clear. I have zero lines," she said. "However, I am in The Devil Wears Prada number two."
Despite her limited role, Graham said the experience was meaningful. She described filming a red carpet scene, where she appeared in a striking look that matched her real-life work.
"We were shooting a red carpet [scene]... I was doing what I do on the red carpet," she explained. "I was wearing this gorgeous Christian Siriano dress. It was fabulous."
The highlight of Graham’s time on set came after filming paused. She recalled that Streep, who returns as Miranda Priestly, approached her unexpectedly.
Graham said she quickly wondered what she might say to the award-winning actress. Instead, Streep delivered a simple but memorable remark.

Ashley Graham is seen on the set of "The Devil Wears Prada 2" on August 1, 2025 in New York City. | Source: Getty Images
"She comes over and she goes, 'Darling, you have impeccable, impeccable posture.' And then walked away. I was like, 'Oh, this is Miranda. She's in character. This is wonderful,'" the model recalled.
The moment left a strong impression on Graham. "It made my night," she said. "Not only was I in The Devil Wears Prada, but also Meryl Streep and the compliment. So it was really fun. I can't wait to see the movie."

Ashley Graham is seen on the set of "The Devil Wears Prada 2" on August 1, 2025 in New York City. | Source: Getty Images
“The Devil Wears Prada 2” reunites several key cast members from the 2006 original. Streep and Anne Hathaway lead the sequel, joined by Emily Blunt and Stanley Tucci.
The film has already drawn attention during its press tour. At the Mexico City premiere on March 30, 2026, Streep appeared in a navy belted coat by Schiaparelli, while Hathaway wore a pink sequined Stella McCartney mini dress paired with thigh-high boots from the brand’s Fall 2026 collection.

Anne Hathaway and Meryl Streep attend the red carpet for the movie "The Devil Wears Prada 2" at Anahuacalli Museum on March 30, 2026 in Mexico City, Mexico. | Source: Getty Images
The excitement around the sequel has been intense, even during filming. Streep admitted she was surprised by the scale of public interest while shooting in New York City.
“Even though we were aware of the impact of the first film two decades ago, I think none of us were prepared for the ambush of both goodwill and avid attention that engulfed us,” she said.
She described crowded scenes and logistical challenges on set.
“Buses of fans turned up, and paparazzi swarmed and in one case kept jumping in front of the camera and the shot and got in a kerfuffle with crew,” Streep added. “Annie kept her cool, but I was unnerved.”
For Graham, the experience was about more than screen time. Her brief appearance gave her a chance to be part of a film with lasting cultural influence and to interact with one of its most iconic stars.
The compliment from Streep may have been short, but it carried weight. It also reflected the enduring presence of Miranda Priestly, a character that continues to shape the tone of the franchise.
Ashley Graham’s role in “The Devil Wears Prada 2” may be limited, but her experience on set tells a larger story about the film’s impact and its cast, including Anne Hathaway and Meryl Streep.