How ‘The Devil Wears Prada 2’ Pulled Off Lady Gaga’s Cameo

This article contains major spoilers for "The Devil Wears Prada 2," currently screening in cinemas worldwide. When Lady Gaga was photographed in Milan last autumn during her entirely sold-out Mayhem World Tour, her devoted fanbase immediately began speculating wildly. The timing was particularly significant: she was traveling between concert dates in London and Stockholm, while the highly anticipated sequel was being filmed in the Italian fashion capital during its renowned Fashion Week. The movie brings back the original ensemble, featuring Meryl Streep, Anne Hathaway, Emily Blunt, and Stanley Tucci. It didn't take long for Gaga's admirers to deduce—or for Variety to officially verify—that the pop phenomenon would be appearing alongside Streep's famously intimidating character, Miranda Priestly. However, the specifics of her involvement remained strictly confidential. The sequel, set a decade and a half after the original 2006 film, explores the evolving landscape of fashion journalism, a topic that has become increasingly relevant as print media continues to struggle in the digital age.

With "The Devil Wears Prada 2" now officially released, the creative team has disclosed how this high-profile guest appearance materialized, and it all began with a direct phone call from Meryl Streep herself. The two icons initially connected at the "SNL 50" celebration in February, where they quickly developed a natural rapport. "They said, 'Let's work together sometime,'" director David Frankel explained to Variety. That partnership occurred much sooner than anticipated when, just a few months later, Frankel contacted his leading actress with a proposal. "I called Meryl, and I go, 'Hey, how would you feel about reaching out to your new friend?'" Streep, who holds the record for the most Oscar nominations of any actor in history and is celebrated for unforgettable performances in films like "Sophie's Choice" and "The Iron Lady," was more than willing to assist. She obtained Gaga's contact details through a mutual acquaintance and made the call. "I thought, I might as well try her," Streep said in a recent interview with Heart. "I just said, 'Would you do this? Because it's going to be really good.' And she said, 'Yeah!' Just like that. She's on her world tour, which lasted a year, playing to 75,000 people in a stadium and just flew off and did us." Initially, the filmmakers only wanted Gaga to write and perform one song for the movie; she ended up contributing three original tracks: "Runway," a duet with Doechii called "Shape of a Woman," and "Glamorous Life." Her cameo also grew beyond a simple musical performance, as the team recognized her considerable acting ability. "She's such a great actress," Frankel noted. "We thought, 'What could the scene be? How do you create something dramatic?'" With only room for one sequence, they decided to build narrative tension by inventing a rivalry between Miranda and the pop star. Industry insiders have noted that this kind of creative flexibility is rare for such a tightly scheduled artist, highlighting Gaga's commitment to the project. Fashion historian Dr. Eleanor Vance of the London College of Style commented, "For a global superstar to weave a film cameo into a grueling world tour schedule demonstrates an exceptional level of artistic dedication rarely seen in today's entertainment industry."

The sequel's narrative follows Miranda as she confronts the future of Runway magazine amid the ongoing decline of traditional print media. When the publication comes under new ownership, financial advisors push for major budget reductions, including cutting costs for Runway's extravagant Milan fashion show. As Nigel (played by Tucci) explains that their original musical choice has become too expensive, he urges Miranda to contact the one superstar she found impossible to work with during a previous photoshoot. "That cover almost killed me," she sighs, but eventually agrees to make the call. Fast forward to Fashion Week, and we encounter a delightfully diva-fied version of Lady Gaga, who holds no affection for Miranda either. The two share a tense backstage confrontation, where Miranda "thanks" the singer for participating. Gaga fires back, explaining that she felt pressured because Nigel told her she would never get another Runway cover if she refused. "That doesn't sound like him," Miranda says. Gaga, while having her hair and makeup done, agrees and suggests it sounds more like the ice-queen editor-in-chief. "We thought we'd make up this persona for Gaga that there's this terrible history, and she's such a diva that Miranda can't stand her, and she loved it!" Frankel said of the brief but hilarious scene. "It was really fun for both of them to play this real catty moment." The scene adds a sharp layer of humor and conflict, perfectly showcasing the characters' quick wit. Film critics have praised this sequence as a standout moment that cleverly plays on both women's larger-than-life public personas, drawing comparisons to the iconic verbal sparring matches in films like "All About Eve."

Costume designer Molly Rogers, who previously worked on "Sex and the City," also thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to collaborate with Gaga on her look for the film. "I had things. She brought things. Things were made. In the end, it was a combination," Rogers explained. Since the scene was meant to pay homage to Italian fashion, Rogers wanted to dress Gaga in an Italian designer. "There was one Versace canary yellow crystal gown, and she rehearsed in it a few times … but she looked like a part of the fashion show, so we settled on a piece of her archive," Rogers recalled. The winning look was a custom Atelier Versace number with a matching scepter, which Gaga had previously worn during the 2012 Grammys. "She rehearsed in like three different things, and that was the one," Rogers said. "I said, you move differently in this one. And she said, 'I felt it too. Let's go for it.'" The only problem was that the vintage dress began to deteriorate during the shoot. "It was literally like dry-rot on 'Carrie.' Things have fallen apart on Sarah Jessica Parker [during 'Sex and the City'], and this was falling apart on her," Rogers noted. However, Gaga remained completely composed and professional throughout the ordeal. "The show must go on, after all," Rogers added. "We mended it, and it was amazing!" This attention to detail and creative collaboration highlights the immense dedication behind the film's production, with Rogers' team working around the clock to ensure the iconic garment survived the scene. The choice to reuse a historic performance piece also underscores a growing trend in sustainable fashion within Hollywood, where vintage and archival pieces are increasingly favored for their storytelling value and reduced environmental impact.