Anne Hathaway: You don't need to hurt yourself to grow.

Actress Anne Hathaway

■ Profile
Born in 1982 in New York, USA, she studied English literature at the prestigious Vassar College before transferring to New York University. In 1999, she began her acting career in the TV drama "Get Real." In 2001, she starred in her first film, "The Princess Diaries," which became a huge hit in the US, grossing over $1 million. In 2006, "The Devil Wears Prada," in which she co-starred with Meryl Streep, was a massive success, bringing her worldwide recognition. In 2008, she received her first Academy Award nomination for Best Actress for "Rachel Getting Married." In 2012, she won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for "Les Misérables." In 2026, the sequel, "The Devil Wears Prada 2," released 20 years after the original, garnered significant attention, and "Verity" was released in the fall.

Anne Hathaway's most talked-about film is "The Devil Wears Prada 2" (scheduled for release in May 2026). The original "The Devil Wears Prada," in which she co-starred with Meryl Streep in 2006, was a huge hit, and the sequel, released 20 years later, has generated considerable buzz. Her next film is the suspense thriller "Verity," scheduled for release in Japan this fall, making it a must-see for film enthusiasts.

■Following my childhood dream of becoming an actress

My dream of becoming an actress began when I was three years old. On the way home after watching my mother, who was a stage actress, perform, I apparently told my father, "There were children on stage. I want to be one of them."
What solidified that feeling was seeing my mother's performance in "Les Misérables" when I was seven or eight years old. I cried out loud in the audience during the scene where the character my mother played dies. At the same time, I was struck by the power of acting, music, and storytelling to deeply move people's emotions, and I began to strongly desire to be on the side that moves people's hearts.
I begged my parents many times to let me work as a child actor, but they wouldn't allow it. At the time, I couldn't understand why I was the only one who couldn't do it, but looking back now, I'm grateful that I was able to go to school, spend time with friends, and have that time to simply love acting before I made it my job.
During high school, that "love" gradually began to take shape. While performing in school and local plays, I was also accepted into the Barrow Group drama school as the first teenager to do so, and began to seriously study acting. What I learned there was not to rigidly decide how to deliver lines, but to listen to what the other person is saying and react naturally. The discovery that acting is also about "listening" remains an important foundation for me today. At university, I mainly studied English literature, and also broadened my interests to include women's studies and political science. My habit of considering the era and society in which the characters lived is still connected to my current approach to character development.
After appearing in the TV drama "Get Real" (1999), she encountered the Disney movie "The Princess Diaries" (2001) at the age of 17. She had a 26-hour layover on her way to the filming of another movie, and she asked, "Can I audition for anything during this time?" This led to her participation in the film. She was so nervous during the audition that she fell off her chair, and this incident, which mirrored the character's appearance, was a deciding factor in her being chosen for the lead role.
The success of my work led to me being associated with the image of a "princess" and a "bright and innocent girl." Wanting to transcend that image, I challenged myself with roles in films that differed from that image, such as "Brokeback Mountain" (2005), "The Devil Wears Prada" (2006), and "Rachel Getting Married" (2008), broadening my range as an actress. It was through this process of challenging myself that I became able to act without fear of how others would perceive me or whether I would be disliked. Then, in "Les Misérables" (2012), I played the role my mother had played when I was a child. I felt that all the experiences I had accumulated since my student days connected to this work, and it was a special experience, like returning after a long time to the film that inspired me to dream of becoming an actress.

■After thorough preparation, they were able to act freely on set.

When approaching a role, I place great importance on preparation. I question every line of the script, research the character's background, and do everything I can before filming begins. However, during the actual shoot, I don't rigidly adhere to my prepared performance. I take in the words of my co-stars and the emotions that arise in the moment, and cherish what can only be created in that instant.
Furthermore, when I play a role, I try not to judge the character as good or evil, but to understand them with respect and compassion as a human being. I think about why they acted the way they did, what they believed in, and what they wanted, and I try to empathize with the character. Being exposed to different lives and values ​​and deepening my understanding of people is a major attraction of this job.
No matter how much experience I gain, I don't want to think that there's nothing more to learn. If the day ever comes when I feel like there's nothing more to learn on set, I think that's when it's time to do something else. From the early stages of my career, I've always been conscious of absorbing things like a sponge through encounters with projects, roles, and directors. Even now, I believe there are opportunities for growth everywhere.
And what makes me happiest is that the work I created with my colleagues doesn't just end with the moment it's released, but remains as a part of someone's life. I feel incredibly honored that my work can be there for someone when they are seeking comfort.

■To young people: Don't deny yourself, love life.

When I was younger, I was afraid of failure and thought that in order to grow, I had to constantly be harsh on myself.
However, there are limits to using self-criticism as the driving force for effort. Now, I am learning how to grow while maintaining a desire for improvement and taking care of myself. I have come to value being true to my own thoughts and feelings, and whether I am enjoying myself, rather than being preoccupied with what others think of me or whether I have done things correctly. Rather than wasting time on unnecessary negativity, I want to focus on what I have in my life and live with gratitude.
You don't need to hurt yourself to grow. Please don't hate yourself, and love your own life.

Student Newspaper, October 2026 Issue. Composition: Karin Ishimatsu, 10th year student at Tsuda University.

INFORMATION

It all began with a "confession" by the popular author Verity—was it mere delusion, or something more...? A shocking truth (Verity) awaits in this forbidden mystery suspense!