The return of Meryl Streep to the role of Miranda Priestly in The Devil Wears Prada 2 revived interest in a world where fashion, media and celebrity collide. In interviews promoting the film the actress revealed a simple, decisive move behind one of the movie’s most talked-about moments: she phoned Lady Gaga. That call, according to Streep, led to a flyaway cameo in Milan, multiple original tracks for the soundtrack and a brief on-screen confrontation with Miranda — all elements that contribute to the film’s mix of glamour and commentary. The director and cast also framed the sequel around modern pressures facing publishing and culture.
The phone call and Gaga’s cameo
Streep described the scene on Jimmy Kimmel Live, saying the script needed an unnamed pop star to perform during Milan Fashion Week. Knowing Gaga’s love of fashion and her readiness to collaborate, Streep placed a direct call. The singer, who was amid a major tour at the time, agreed without hesitation and flew to Italy to shoot what Streep called a “big get.” Gaga not only appears in a charged exchange with Miranda but also contributed three songs to the project, including the single Runway, which features a music video collaboration with Doechii, and the tracks Shape of a Woman and Glamorous Life. This blend of soundtrack and cameo raises the film’s profile and ties its musical identity directly to the fashion-world storyline.
Behind-the-scenes logistics and impact
According to Streep, the logistics were surprisingly swift: a phone call, a day off from the Mayhem Ball Tour, and a flight to Milan. On set, the scene crackles because both performers lean into their public personae while serving the story; Streep joked that Gaga was “a little too good” in their shared moment. The soundtrack contribution extends Gaga’s role beyond a fleeting appearance, and the release of the Runway video has amplified the film’s cultural footprint. The cameo functions as a bridge between blockbuster spectacle and character-driven drama, reinforcing the movie’s dual aim of entertainment and reflection.
Why the cast returned and thematic intent
Producers gathered the original leads only after agreeing the sequel had to matter to the current moment. Meryl Streep has said there was “one way” the principal cast would sign on: if the story spoke to contemporary issues. The film purposely interrogates the upheaval in publishing — reduced staffing, falling print figures and the dominance of digital platforms. Co-star Stanley Tucci notes the narrative addresses the loss of editorial control as social media and AI reshape how stories are told and monetized. Those forces create authentic stakes for Miranda and the magazine world she inhabits, even as the movie retains its signature wit and high-fashion set pieces.
Character evolution and modern pressures
Anne Hathaway’s return as Andy Sachs and Emily Blunt’s reprisal as Emily Charlton give the sequel a chance to explore careers and compromises across two decades. The film examines ambition, reconciliation and what success looks like for women in high-pressure industries, while also allowing moments of levity — from Miranda’s discomfort in coach travel to a clash with bro culture in a memorable subplot. The creative team, with Aline Brosh McKenna as writer and David Frankel returning as director, balances commentary about the state of journalism with the escapist pleasures that audiences expect from a fashion-driven sequel.
Cameos, reception and cultural resonance
The sequel peppers the narrative with celebrity cameos, including names from high fashion and pop culture that serve as wink-and-nod rewards for fans of the original. Reviewers have offered mixed reactions — some critics faulted the film for not raising the stakes, while many praised the performances, particularly Streep’s return and Gaga’s electrifying contribution. Outlets that embraced the movie highlighted its fresh take on familiar characters and the way it expands Miranda’s emotional landscape. For viewers seeking nostalgia and a contemporary lens on the media landscape, the film provides both entertainment and food for thought.
Where it lands and what comes next
Now playing in cinemas, The Devil Wears Prada 2 combines a starry soundtrack, high-fashion set pieces and a story anchored in the realities of modern publishing. Streep’s anecdote about calling Gaga demonstrates how small, decisive choices can shape a film’s public life — the cameo and three original songs have become headline moments in the movie’s rollout. Whether audiences respond with the same enthusiasm that greeted the first film, industry observers note the sequel is designed to spark conversation about ambition, technology and the tastes that define popular culture. For many fans and the cast alike, the film is an invitation to revisit characters who have aged into new complications and opportunities.