Anne Hathaway became famous for her role as Mia Thermopolis in the 2001 romance comedy The Princess Diaries. The movie has been a pop-cultural icon today and opened an avenue for the actress to build her career in the film industry. Known for her roles as Jake Gyllenhaal’s wife in Brokeback Mountain, as assistant Andrea Sachs in The Devil Wears Prada, and the White Queen in Alice In Wonderland, Anne Hathaway has always been one of the best actresses of her generation.
While her sprawling acting career has steadily grown, Anne Hathaway has been a part of many controversies over the years wherein she became a disliked actress in Hollywood. Various factors have led to criticism toward her, from her 2013 Oscars outfit to making emotional yet over-practiced speeches at award ceremonies during her best award season with Les Misérables. Let’s take a look at her most controversial moments.
8 Her Last-Minute 2013 Oscars Dress
Anne Hathaway has been Valentino's longtime friend and donned several stunning red carpet outfits from the fashion house. After a clean sweep at every award ceremony, Hathaway was expected to win, and she chose to go with a lilac Prada gown for the big moment. The actress had to change her dress at the last minute as her co-star Amanda Seyfried was wearing an Alexander McQueen dress similar to her Valentino gown. Her Prada gown did not have enough alterations and made for an awkward look.
7 Her Casting As Catwoman For The Dark Knight Rises And The Costume
Hathaway starred in the highly anticipated third movie in The Dark Knight trilogy by Christopher Nolan. Starring Christian Bale as the Batman, the audience had a less than enthused reaction when Anne Hathaway took on the role of Catwoman, a character previously portrayed by Michelle Pfeiffer and Halle Berry. When the movie hit cinemas, there was an appreciation for her portrayal, but her stripped-down appearance without any cats rubbed people the wrong way.
6 Hosting The 2011 Oscars With James Franco
Anne Hathaway and James Franco were unarguably deemed the worst Oscars host during their 2011 stint. The couple’s pairing was awkward and led to many uncomfortable jokes that did not please the audience. While Hathaway tried hard to entertain everyone, Franco’s less than enthusiastic speech turned the show into a disaster. Hathaway sang her version of On My Own to Hugh Jackman, who sat in the front row, which led to a few strained chuckles.
5 Her 2013 Les Misérables Golden Globes Acceptance Speech
The first award show of the season, the Golden Globes, set into motion the line-up of awards that Anne Hathaway would be collecting in the coming period. Winning her Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in Comedy or Musical, Hathaway began her speech by saying the word ‘Blergh.’ While winning an award can be a big moment, the actress was criticized for being too emotional as her speech seemed practiced, and she continued even when the music began playing.
4 When She Continued Her Speech When Accepting An Award With The Les Misérables Cast
Tom Hooper's Les Misérables was a hit at the Golden Globes in 2013 as it bagged three awards that night, including Best Picture Comedy or Musical. While accepting the award, the entire cast and crew went up on stage as the producers thanked everyone who was a part of the movie. Then, Hathaway cut off one of the producers to continue her speech and thanked her management team before others had a chance to say something.
3 Feigning Surprise After Winning Awards
Along with the speech that lasted for several minutes during the Golden Globes, Anne Hathaway also swept the BAFTA, SAG, and Oscar Awards that year, and people accused her of feigning surprise and joy. Hathaway has admitted that she pretended to show happiness while accepting her Oscar for Best Supporting Actress. She said the phrase ‘It came true!’ while giving the speech and later admitted to having rehearsed being surprised.
2 When Asked About Her Character Fantine In Les Misérables
In December 2012, while promoting the movie, Anne Hathaway was asked about her reaction to seeing herself on the big screen as Fantine, and the actress said that she cried watching her character. However, Hathaway later backed her words by saying that she mentally went back to the process of making the movie as she had to lose 25 pounds for the role, which even the director believed was extreme.
1 Her Portrayal In The Witches
In the 2020 fantasy film released on Netflix amidst the lockdown in October, Anne Hathaway played the lead role of Grand High Witch, the leader of the witches. Adapted from the novel of the same title, the book detailed the witches to have clawed hands. However, the movie featured them with three elongated fingers on both hands. After people accused the film of being insensitive to beings with disabilities, Hathaway apologized to people and children with limb differences who were in pain from her portrayal.
Anne Hathaway is not unaware of the hate she has received online for various choices she has made over the years and even tried to make amends by addressing the issues. But, like a phoenix, Hathaway has always risen to the occasion and hit back at her haters by giving career-defining performances and overcoming self-doubt.