Leslie Fremar on the painful truth behind The Devil Wears Prada

Leslie Fremar, a well-known stylist, has recently shared her feelings about the book that inspired the iconic film The Devil Wears Prada . In an episode of Vogue’s The Run-Through podcast, Fremar claimed she was the inspiration for the character Emily in the story written by Lauren Weisberger. The book, released in 2003, is a fictional account of Weisberger’s experiences as an assistant to Anna Wintour, the editor-in-chief of Vogue, on whom the character Miranda Priestly, played by Meryl Streep, is based.

The origin of the story

Weisberger’s novel is not just a look at the fashion world, but also a personal exploration of the relationships and challenges within it. Leslie Fremar worked as Wintour’s first assistant and had daily contact with Weisberger. In her conversation, she said she often felt exposed by the contents of the book. The story was initially “pretty mean,” but was softened in later versions, according to Fremar. She said she was initially anxious when Wintour told her about the book’s publication.

Feelings of betrayal

Fremar described her experience with the novel as painful and embarrassing. On the podcast, she said: “It really felt like an exposure. There was no lightness to it, it felt pretty dark.” Her comments point to her disappointment with how her role in the fashion world was portrayed. She also called it “painful” and felt betrayed by the book. Although the author used fiction, she drew heavily on Fremar’s and her colleagues’ personal experiences for the story.

The character Emily

Fremar claims she is the real-life inspiration for Emily, the character played by Emily Blunt in the film. That claim has fueled the legendary line in the movie about how a million girls would want her assistant job. The quote is a direct result of Fremar’s own experiences during her time as an assistant. It has become part of film culture and highlighted the competition between assistants and employees in the fashion industry.

The reflection of these experiences in popular media highlights not only the impact on the people involved, but also the broader themes of female rivalry and the pressure of the fashion world. Although Fremar does not hold a grudge against Weisberger, the effects of the book and the film are still felt in her life.