On Monday evening—fresh off the Asia leg of The Devil Wears Prada 2 press tour—Anne Hathaway switched gears to attend the world premiere of Mother Mary. In the psychological thriller, one of five films she’ll appear in this year, she plays the titular character: a legendary pop star who’s like a hybrid between Lady Gaga and Taylor Swift.
On the red carpet at Metrograph, Hathaway made a scene-stealing entrance in an ethereal Lever Couture gown crafted from sheer mesh ribbons. Upon arrival at the Lower East Side’s beloved art-house theater, the Oscar winning actress linked up with costars Michaela Coel, FKA twigs, Alba Baptista, and writer-director David Lowery.
Mother Mary, which hits screens nationwide on April 24, also features performances by Hunter Schafer and Kaia Gerber. It opens with Hathaway’s character experiencing an existential crisis on the eve of her comeback performance. She soon seeks out an estranged friend and her former fashion collaborator—played by Michaela Coel—who helped shape her successful career in order to commission a new dress. However, resentment and old wounds still linger, and the plot examines the physiological toll of being an artist, as well as the symbiotic relationship with those whom they co-create with.
To portray Mother Mary’s larger-than-life stage presence, Hathaway immersed herself in grueling dance training with the film’s choreographer Dani Vitale, who’s known for her work with Rihanna, Katy Perry, and Halsey. “Oh God, no! Dancing is not easy for me,” Hathaway told Vogue with a laugh. “Dance is the one talent I wish I had. I tried so much growing up. I went to class almost everyday after school and I never improved. I sort of made my peace with not being a dancer, and then this part came my way. I had a lot of help from Dani. It was challenging, but I got to pretend to be a dancer; a dream that I wanted to come true since I was a kid.”
Hathaway also sings original songs by Charli XCX and Jack Antonoff, and FKA twigs in the film. To create a genuine spectacle, Lowery staged concert sequences similar to Taylor Swift’s Reputation stadium tour, which required Hathaway to perform in front of 400 extras. “Once I got into the groove of it, it was really, really fun. It gave me so much energy,” she said. “I knew it would be something that I would never do again, so I tried to enjoy every minute of it.”
There’s no shortage of elaborate costumes, either, which required Hathaway to gracefully flit around in capes and high heels while tied up in corsetry with a huge halo atop her head. The headpieces are a staple of her live acts and prevailing mystique, created by Coel’s character. Playing a designer was deeply personal for the British star, whose own mother is a seamstress. “In my very early days, my mom made all my clothes that I wore on the red carpet. And my mother made her own clothes that she’s wearing on the carpet right now,” a Givenchy-clad Coel said, pointing to her mom. “So I’ve learned from her, but I have not picked up enough to make her proud—trust me.”
