Anna Wintour, the legendary and famously exacting editor-in-chief of Vogue, did not hold back when she visited the set of The Devil Wears Prada 2. During filming, the 76-year-old fashion icon offered a very specific critique about the flower arrangements in a scene set inside the Dior offices, prompting the prop team to make immediate changes on the spot.

Director David Frankel and screenwriter Aline Brosh McKenna shared the amusing behind-the-scenes story during a Friday, April 17 interview with Amy Odell on her Back Row podcast. The pair revealed that while they never asked Wintour to appear in the movie, she graciously stopped by the production during a key scene where Emily Charlton — now played again by Emily Blunt — works at Dior.

As Wintour stood near the monitor watching the shot, she quietly observed that there were simply too many flowers in the frame. She also pointed out that Dior would never use pink flowers in that setting — only white ones would be appropriate. Brosh McKenna recalled jumping into action immediately. “I came running out and I was like, ‘Dude, kill the flowers,’” she told Odell, laughing at the memory. The prop team quickly adjusted the arrangement, replacing the oversized bouquet with a single, elegant vase of white flowers that better matched Wintour’s vision of high-fashion realism.

This moment perfectly encapsulated the meta nature of The Devil Wears Prada 2. The original 2006 film, adapted from Lauren Weisberger’s bestselling 2003 novel, has long been rumored to draw inspiration from Wintour’s real-life persona. Miranda Priestly, the formidable editor-in-chief of the fictional Runway magazine portrayed by Meryl Streep, is widely believed to be at least partially modeled after Wintour. Weisberger herself once served as an assistant to the Vogue editor, lending authenticity to the story’s sharp portrayal of the fashion industry’s demanding hierarchy.

Despite the clear parallels, Wintour has maintained a cordial relationship with the cast and crew over the years. On the set of the sequel, she not only offered her floral expertise but also posed for photos with the cast and participated in a fun gag take that Frankel confirmed will appear as an extra when the movie eventually hits streaming platforms. The director admitted that Wintour “jumped her cue” during the take, which left the shot slightly out of focus. “Unfortunately, Anna jumped her cue, so the shot isn’t always in focus,” Frankel explained. “And I didn’t want to do a second take. I can’t ask Anna to do take two.”

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Meryl Streep, who reprises her iconic role as Miranda Priestly in the sequel, has also reflected on her evolving relationship with Wintour. In a recent conversation with Andy Cohen on SiriusXM’s Front Row, the 76-year-old Oscar winner revealed that she deliberately avoided getting to know Wintour while preparing for the first film. “I didn’t know her at all because of my dissociation from fashion for the first movie,” Streep recalled. “I just wanted to create my own Miranda. I wanted to have it be my own thing, and, ‘Who I would be if I were in charge?’”

Streep explained that she intentionally kept her distance to fully inhabit the character without external influence. However, over the past 20 years, she and Wintour have developed a genuine acquaintance. When Wintour learned about the sequel, she reportedly called Streep to ask what the new film would be like. Streep reassured her, saying, “I think it’s going to be good. You’re not going to be worried.” She added that she still feels confident about that assessment.

The sequel picks up years after the events of the original film, with Emily Charlton having moved on from Runway to a high-powered position at Dior. Anne Hathaway returns as Andy Sachs, the ambitious young woman who once survived Miranda’s notoriously tough demands. The story explores how the characters have evolved while still navigating the cutthroat world of fashion, power, and personal growth.

Wintour’s visit to the set and her precise feedback on the flower arrangements added an extra layer of authenticity to the production. Her input reflected the kind of meticulous attention to detail that has defined her decades-long career at the helm of Vogue. For the filmmakers, having the real-life inspiration for one of cinema’s most memorable characters offer notes on set was both surreal and valuable. It helped ground the sequel in the same sharp, fashionable world that made the original film a cultural phenomenon.

The original The Devil Wears Prada became an instant classic upon its release in 2006, celebrated for its witty dialogue, stellar performances, and spot-on depiction of the fashion industry’s glamour and brutality. Streep’s portrayal of Miranda Priestly earned her an Oscar nomination and cemented the character as one of the most quotable and intimidating figures in movie history. Lines like “I’m just one stomach flu away from my goal weight” and the unforgettable cerulean sweater monologue continue to resonate with audiences nearly two decades later.

Bringing the story back for a sequel has been a long-awaited project for fans. The return of key cast members — including Streep, Hathaway, and Blunt — has generated significant excitement. Director David Frankel, who helmed the original, is back at the helm, ensuring continuity in tone and style. Screenwriter Aline Brosh McKenna also returns, bringing her sharp understanding of the characters and the world they inhabit.

Wintour’s willingness to visit the set and engage with the production speaks to a level of good humor and self-awareness that many might not expect from someone with her formidable reputation. While Miranda Priestly is often portrayed as icy and unforgiving, the real Anna Wintour has shown herself capable of laughing at the cultural phenomenon her persona helped inspire. Her participation in the gag reel and photo opportunities with the cast added a playful touch to what could have been a more intimidating visit.

For the prop department, Wintour’s flower critique became an instant legend. The swift replacement of the pink-heavy arrangement with a more restrained, all-white display demonstrated the team’s commitment to getting the details right — even when those details came directly from the woman many believe inspired the story’s central antagonist.

As The Devil Wears Prada 2 prepares for release, audiences are eager to see how the characters have changed over time. Will Miranda still rule Runway with an iron fist? How has Andy’s career evolved, and what new challenges will she face? The inclusion of real fashion-world insights, like Wintour’s on-set notes, suggests the sequel aims to maintain the same level of stylish authenticity that made the original so memorable.

Beyond the flowers, Wintour’s visit highlighted the fascinating intersection between real life and fiction. The fact that the woman widely considered the inspiration for Miranda Priestly felt comfortable enough to stop by, offer feedback, and even participate in a humorous outtake shows how the film has transcended its source material to become a cultural touchstone. It has created a unique dialogue between the movie world and the actual fashion industry it satirizes.

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Streep’s comments about her evolving perspective on Wintour also add depth to the story. What began as a deliberate creative distance has grown into a relationship of mutual respect. Streep’s decision to craft her own version of Miranda without direct input from Wintour allowed the character to become a fully realized fictional figure rather than a mere imitation. Years later, that artistic choice has not prevented the two powerful women from connecting as the sequel brings Miranda back to the screen.

The sequel arrives at a time when conversations about power, ambition, mentorship, and work-life balance in high-pressure industries remain as relevant as ever. The Devil Wears Prada has long been praised for its smart exploration of these themes, wrapped in gorgeous fashion and sharp humor. Fans hope the second installment will deliver the same winning combination while offering fresh insights into how the characters — and the industry — have changed in the nearly two decades since the original film.

Anna Wintour’s brief but memorable appearance on set, complete with her signature attention to detail regarding the flower arrangements, serves as a delightful footnote in the production’s history. It reminds audiences that even in the world of big-budget sequels, real-life icons can still influence the smallest elements — from the color of the petals to the overall tone of a scene.

As the film moves closer to its release, the stories emerging from the set — including Wintour’s floral intervention and her good-natured participation in the gag reel — only heighten anticipation. They suggest a production that respected the legacy of the original while embracing the real-world connections that make The Devil Wears Prada such a uniquely meta experience.

In the end, Anna Wintour’s visit proved that sometimes the best notes come not from studio executives, but from the very person who helped inspire one of cinema’s most unforgettable characters. Her specific, no-nonsense critique about the flowers may have been a small moment in the grand scheme of filmmaking, but it perfectly captured the spirit of precision and excellence that both Miranda Priestly and her real-life counterpart have come to represent.