Listen, you should always know your worth. And that’s something we can learn right from one of the icons of our time, Meryl Streep. In the lead-up to The Devil Wears Prada 2, a sequel movie which we found really had something important to say, Streep revealed that she actually turned down the role of Miranda Priestly in the original 2006 The Devil Wears Prada, so she could get paid what she thought she was worth. Streep explained that she knew The Devil Wears Prada needed her and that the movie would be a hit, but she didn’t feel too bothered about being in it, allowing her to make a power move. And that’s why Meryl Streep turned down The Devil Wears Prada, asked for double her pay, and got it all.
That’s all, as they say. Here’s what Streep had to share about her initial rejection of The Devil Wears Prada in seach of a higher salary, ““I knew it was going to be a hit. I read the script — the script was great. They called me up, and they made an offer, and I said ‘No. I’m not going to do it.’” Streep said she foresaw the film’s success — and wanted to be paid accordingly. “I wanted to see if I doubled my ask, and they went right away and said ‘Sure.’” And she added, “I’m 56 years [old] — it took me this long to understand that I could do that! I was sure of it. I was sure it would be a hit. And they needed me, I felt. And I wanted it, but if they didn’t want to do that, I was okay. Because I’m old — I’m 56, I was ready to retire.”
Well, we don’t all have the privilege of turning down work because we think our salary may be doubled. But we’re glad Streep felt like she was paid her worth in the end. We wish we could say “getting paid your worth for your work, groundbreaking.” But it’s sadly pretty rare. Here’s hoping for more instances of such things.
The Devil Wears Prada 2 is now in theaters.