Anne Hathaway is currently on a global press tour for “The Devil Wears Prada 2,” the long-awaited sequel set to open in U.S. theaters May 1, 2026. The film reunites Hathaway with Meryl Streep, Emily Blunt and Stanley Tucci nearly two decades after the 2006 original. It is common for actors to interact with fans at such promotional events, where stars often get showered with gifts.
Hathaway received an unusual gift from a fan at the film’s European premiere in London on April 22: a copy of the Quran. She appeared to accept the book politely while continuing along the red carpet. The clip quickly gained traction on social media.
Hathaway has not publicly commented on the exchange, but the gesture appears to connect to a recent interview Hathaway gave to People magazine. While discussing her hopes for the future, she used the Arabic phrase “Inshallah” — an expression meaning “God willing.”
Reflecting on her life and ambitions, she said, “I want to have a long, healthy life, Inshallah. I hope so.”
Reactions to the incident have been mixed online. While many praised Hathaway for accepting the gift graciously, others posted critical comments about the exchange. In a video from the event, the fan can be heard telling Hathaway, “I have got this Quran for you. I saw the video where you said ‘Inshallah.'” Many fans are calling it a wholesome moment.
One fan, pushing back on the online discourse, wrote on X: “It’s kinda sweet, shows how much that one word meant to someone. She looked surprised but took it with a smile, no big drama. People are acting like she is converting on the red carpet or something, but it’s probably just a nice gesture from a fan who felt seen.”
Other users also weighed in. One X user called it a “genuine cultural bridge moment.” Another wrote: “People losing their minds over Anne Hathaway and the Quran are so ignorant. ‘Inshallah’ just means ‘God willing’ in Arabic. Millions of Arab Christians say it daily. Stop acting like she made some massive religious statement. It’s just a word, relax.”
Some online commenters also pointed to Hathaway’s concurrent film “Mother Mary,” which opened in limited U.S. release on April 17 via A24. The psychological drama-thriller, written and directed by David Lowery, stars Hathaway as an iconic pop star named Mother Mary who is navigating a personal and artistic crisis ahead of a comeback performance.
Critics have described the character as an amalgam of Lady Gaga and Madonna. Some online commenters argued it was hypocritical of Hathaway to accept an Islamic holy book while simultaneously playing a character whose identity leans on Christian imagery.