Anne Hathaway may be experiencing a career resurgence, but industry insiders are quietly speculating about the possibility of another public backlash, drawing parallels to the "Hathahate" phenomenon of 2012-2013.
During her Oscar campaign for "Les Misérables," Hathaway faced intense public scrutiny and mockery. This period, characterized by what some perceived as excessive earnestness and a desire for approval, saw her become the subject of late-night jokes and viral memes, even impacting her acceptance speech. The criticism was so pervasive that it was later referenced in media, such as in Amy Schumer's 2015 film "Trainwreck."
Recent events have brought renewed attention to Hathaway. A resurfaced video from a 2012 press junket shows Hathaway declining a playful request from Norwegian journalist Kjersti Flaa to sing, while co-stars Hugh Jackman and Eddie Redmayne agreed. Although Hathaway reportedly apologized to Flaa afterward, the clip contributed to a narrative that she could be a "mean girl."
Further fueling potential criticism, an eight-year-old speech Hathaway gave at a 2018 Human Rights Campaign award show has recently gained traction online. In the speech, Hathaway discussed oppressive straight, cisgender white culture. Conservative commentators have labeled it "virtue signaling" and hypocritical, while supporters argue the remarks are taken out of context.
Beyond these specific incidents, some industry veterans point to Hathaway's high visibility as a potential trigger for audience fatigue. With two major film releases in quick succession – "The Devil Wears Prada 2" in May and Christopher Nolan's "The Odyssey" in July, both global box office successes – Hathaway has been prominently featured.
"Anne is the problem. She's everywhere," a senior studio executive told Rob Shuter. The executive also noted a recent incident on "The View," where Hathaway reportedly became emotional after Whoopi Goldberg complimented her, and alluded to Hathaway's helicopter commute during the filming of "The Odyssey," where other cast members hiked to set. Hathaway explained that the helicopter was used for her character's royal entrance, while others undertook a 45-minute trek.
Publicists and industry insiders suggest that in Hollywood, maintaining an element of mystery can be crucial. Figures like George Clooney and Leonardo DiCaprio are cited as examples of stars who strategically disappear between projects to maintain audience interest. The concern for Hathaway is that her current high level of exposure might lead to diminishing returns.
"The hardest thing in Hollywood isn't getting attention," one longtime A-list publicist stated. "It's knowing when to disappear."
Some insiders believe Hathaway's current strategy of high visibility is counterproductive, likening her to a politician who is constantly in the public eye. The fear is that her perceived polished demeanor and eagerness for approval could alienate audiences once again.
There is also a perspective that women in Hollywood face a different standard than men. "This would never happen to men," one female producer commented. "Women get told they're 'too much' far more quickly. Anne is being judged by a completely different standard."
Hathaway previously navigated a similar situation by becoming more self-aware and willing to laugh at herself, which helped rebuild her image and career. The current challenge, insiders suggest, is to protect her comeback by managing her public presence.
"She's earned every bit of this success," one studio executive noted. "Now she has to resist saying yes to everything. The smartest stars leave audiences wanting one more interview, one more appearance, one more movie."