In her new in-depth interview with Vanity Fair, Anne Hathaway reminisced about her breakout role as Princess of Genovia, analyzed the so-called "Hathahate" period that almost ruined her career, and reflected on not fitting Hollywood's stereotypes of a sex symbol.
The 41-year-old actress, now praised for her charisma and talent, revealed that she was told during the early days of her career that she lacked the necessary sex appeal to make a name for herself.
Highlights
- Anne Hathaway's career was almost ruined by the so-called "Hathahate," the actress revealed in a new interview.
- Anne credits director Christopher Nolan with saving her career by offering her the role in "Interstellar" amidst online criticism.
- The star expressed the importance of staying bold in the face of public humiliation and industry challenges.
"The male gaze was very dominant and very pervasive and very juvenile," Anne said, adding that she never believed her critics' claims.
"I was like, 'I'm a Scorpio. I know what I'm like on a Saturday night.'"
Image credits: Vanity Fair
Additionally, the "Devil Wears Prada" star recalled her most challenging time in the industry, when hating on her persona appeared to be the prevailing trend.
"A lot of people wouldn't give me roles because they were so concerned about how toxic my identity had become online," she told the magazine.
The backlash began in 2011 when the “Love & Other Drugs” star hosted the Oscars alongside James Franco. The lack of chemistry between the two appeared evident in the eyes of the audience, and the actress was ridiculed for her performance.
Of course, Anne had yet to star in the film that would give her the first Academy Award of her career, "Les Misérables." But the actress' campaign for her win of 2013 was met with criticism, adding fuel to the fire.
The actress revealed she was told that she lacked the necessary sex appeal to be a Hollywood star
Image credits: Vanity Fair
Following her win for her role as Fantine in the Victor Hugo adaptation, the NYC-born talent was widely ridiculed online, with The San Francisco Chronicle labeling her "the most annoying celebrity."
Her former Oscars co-host didn't do much to help. When Howard Stern told James that "everyone sort of hates Anne Hathaway" because she comes off as "so affected and actressy," the "127 Hours" actor replied, "I'm not an expert on — I guess they're called 'Hatha-haters' — but I think that's what maybe triggers it."
During her recent interview, the mother-of-two discussed how she reacted to the "Hathahate" by choosing to stay strong and continuing to pursue what she enjoyed the most.
"Humiliation is such a rough thing to go through. The key is to not let it close you down," the star said.
"Humiliation is such a rough thing to go through. The key is to not let it close you down," Anne said
"You have to stay bold, and it can be hard because you're like, 'If I stay safe, if I hug the middle, if I don't draw too much attention to myself, it won't hurt.' But if you want to do that, don't be an actor."
She continued: "You're a tightrope walker. You're a daredevil. You're asking people to invest their time and their money and their attention and their care into you. So you have to give them something worth all of those things.
"And if it's not costing you anything, what are you really offering?"
Perhaps it was her bulletproof attitude that led Oscar-winning director Christopher Nolan to offer her a major role in the midst of the drama.
"I had an angel in Christopher Nolan, who did not care about that and gave me one of the most beautiful roles I've had in one of the best films that I've been a part of," Anne said, referencing her role in the 2014 space epic, "Interstellar."
"I don't know if he knew that he was backing me at the time, but it had that effect. And my career did not lose momentum the way it could have if he hadn't backed me."
The 41-year-old also got emotional as she rewatched her scenes in Disney's "The Princess Diaries," a film that changed her life
Furthermore, the actress teared up as she looked back on her scenes in Disney's "The Princess Diaries," which she starred in at just 17 years old.
"I'm a little bit speechless with this one. It's very emotional to see it," she said, rewatching her scenes as the Princess of Genovia.
She admitted that, while she hadn't seen the film in 20 years, the Disney comedy changed her life.
Anne added that Julie Andrews, who also starred in the movie, and director Garry Marshall are some "of the most magical people" she has ever met.
The star's latest role is in "The Idea of You," where she plays a single mother who begins an unexpected romance with the 24-year-old singer of a boyband
Image credits: The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon
Watch Anne tear up as she remembers her "Princess Diaries" days
The star's latest role is in "The Idea of You," a movie based on the bestselling novel of the same name by Robinne Lee. In the rom-com, Anne plays Solène, a 40-year-old single mother who begins an unexpected romance with the 24-year-old singer of a world-famous boyband, played by Nicholas Galitzine.
"The Idea of You" hits Amazon Prime Video on May 2.
People praised the talented star for her career and poise
