Kate Hudson explains why she turned down ‘The Devil Wears Prada’ role

Kate Hudson has addressed long-standing speculation about her decision to step away from the lead role in The Devil Wears Prada, revealing that scheduling conflicts, not a deliberate rejection, led to her exit from the project.

Speaking on a recent episode of The Drew Barrymore Show, Hudson explained that the opportunity was actively in discussion at the time but ultimately could not align with her commitments.

“It wasn’t that I decided not to,” Hudson said, adding that “there was, like, scheduling stuff” and several moving parts that made participation impossible at the time.

The role of aspiring journalist Andy Sachs eventually went to Anne Hathaway, a performance that became a defining moment in her career and helped cement the film’s status as a modern classic.

Hudson, who appeared on the show while promoting her latest project, Running Point, reflected on the decision with a sense of acceptance. 

She noted that although the outcome is often discussed, she does not view it as a missed opportunity in hindsight.

“It was in conversation and there were all these things happening and I decided not to,” she said, emphasizing the complexity of timing in Hollywood productions.

Despite occasional speculation about what might have been, Hudson expressed no regret over the outcome. Instead, she praised Hathaway’s performance, suggesting she was the right fit for the role.

“It happened exactly the way it was supposed to,” Hudson added, underscoring her belief that casting decisions ultimately worked out as intended.

The Devil Wears Prada went on to become a cultural phenomenon, also starring Meryl Streep and Emily Blunt, and remains one of the most recognizable fashion-world films in modern cinema.