‘The Devil Wears Prada’ is an iconic classic that pretty much gave us a dramatic sneak peek into the demands of the fashion industry. While the 2006 novel adaptation has its fair share of “wow”- worthy moments, it’s still different from Lauren Weisberger’s original work.
While we couldn’t include all of the book vs movie changes, we’ve managed to sort out some of the most shocking ones you won’t want to miss out on before the sequel premiere!
10. Andy’s Personality
The movie portrays Andy as a typical clueless first-time employee, a little quirky and generally pleasant. In the books, however, Andy is much edgier and more outspoken. She wears glasses and smokes whenever the job takes a toll on her. The book version of Andy is also arrogant, believing that she is better than the role she gets in Runway.
9. The Movie Ending is Different
The movie’s ending shows Andy having a renewed sense of purpose after leaving her job. You see her visibly happy and elated as she gets the job in New York Mirror, a newspaper. The book’s conclusion is a lot more somber despite Andy reconnecting with her friend and family. After quitting Runway, Andy does face the possibility of being blacklisted, left with no certainty of what the future holds.
8. Andy is Blonde in the Book
Unlike the brunette hair Anne Hathaway rocks in the film, the book version of Andy is blonde. While the change makes sense since Anne Hathaway is a brunette herself, it is another one of those details that poses the question of “what ifs”.
7. Nate Is Not A Chef But A Teacher
Anybody who’s seen the movie knows that Nate is a chef. Andy’s not-so-adored boyfriend in the book is actually a teacher named Alex Fineman. The changes don’t stop there. While the movie ending has Andy reuniting with Nate, in Lauren Weisberger’s version, the resolution focuses on Andy’s solitary growth.
6. Nick is Not that Bad in the Book
Andy’s boyfriend in the movie is super against the idea of Andy working in Runway, and he makes it known upfront on several occasions. Yet in the book, Alex is initially much more supportive of Andy’s new job and a teensy bit more likable, until it threatens their relationship.
In case you missed it: 10 Movies to Watch If You Love ‘The Devil Wears Prada’
5. Nigel Isn’t The Same Workplace Bestie to Andy In The Book
Stanley Tucci’s Nigel makes many significant contributions to Andy’s confidence in Runway. But in the books, Nigel is primarily known as the employee Miranda betrays. Sure, he has an important role, but he is not as much of a mentor to Andy as the film lets on.
4. There’s More to Miranda’s Backstory
In the movie, Miranda’s backstory is pretty much summed up in her distraught married life and her behind-the-scenes reality. However, the book includes several details about her childhood. These include her early life in poverty, her religious and cultural background, and her struggles in the fashion world.
3. Lily Gets More Importance than Nate in the Book
In the film, we get to see very little of Lily, with Nate being the guy Andy relies on for support. However, in the books, Lily is very much Andy’s best friend and is quite active in Andy’s life. At one point, she undergoes a major accident that is one of the driving forces behind Andy’s realization.
2. Andy and Nate Don’t Live Together in the Book
Book Andy is much more independent than the movie Andy, and she lives with her two roommates, one of whom is Lily. With the movie, Nate is almost always with Andy outside of Runway shots and lives together with her.
1. Andy’s Family
Very little is known about Andy’s family in the film, with the majority of the scenes revolving around Runway, Andy’s career, and her relationship with Nate. In the books, there are a lot more mentions of her family, including her sister and father. Andy’s sister gives birth to a child during the time of the novel, which Andy ultimately misses. All these aspects contribute to Andy’s isolation from those around her. But that dynamic is reduced to Nate and her relationship in the movie.
You might also like to read: Adrian Grenier Reveals Why He Never Got The Call For ‘The Devil Wears Prada 2’
