Anne Hathaway is stepping into 2026 with a level of confidence that feels entirely earned. The actress, now 43, recently appeared in a striking photoshoot that had fans comparing her to the iconic Bond girls of cinema history. She paired the visual moment with a candid interview for WWD Weekend, where she opened up about her complicated relationship with being in front of the camera. What emerged was a portrait of someone who has genuinely grown into her own skin over the course of a long and varied career.
In the interview, Hathaway was surprisingly vulnerable about the anxiety that once accompanied her work in fashion and media. “Photoshoots used to terrify me,” she admitted, a confession that may surprise those who only see her polished public image. She went further, explaining that fear of failure was a near-constant companion during her earlier years in the spotlight. “I was always so scared about how I was going to fail,” she said, painting a picture of someone fighting self-doubt behind the glamour.
Over time, however, her perspective on the fashion world shifted in a meaningful way. She came to understand that the industry is driven by real human connections, not just aesthetics and appearance. “Genuine humanity exists within fashion. I appreciate that so much more now, partially because I know so many more people in it,” she explained. That shift in mindset allowed her to build lasting relationships with major luxury brands, including Versace and Bulgari, both of which she now represents as a prominent face. She also acknowledged that she tends to be guarded by nature, saying “I’m someone who’s slow to open — I’m getting much, much, much better at it.”
Anne Hathaway for WWD Weekend pic.twitter.com/NJjkazuooc
— JumpTrailers (@JumpTrailers) February 18, 2026
Her evolution in fashion has been matched by an extraordinarily full acting slate for 2026. She is set to star in an A24 psychological thriller called ‘Mother Mary’, in which she reportedly performs her own vocals for a character described as a hybrid between Lady Gaga and Taylor Swift. She will also return to one of her most beloved roles, reprising Andy Sachs in ‘The Devil Wears Prada 2’, the long-awaited sequel that has generated enormous excitement among fans of the original. On top of that, she is attached to Christopher Nolan’s epic production ‘The Odyssey’, the Colleen Hoover adaptation ‘Verity’, and a sci-fi thriller called ‘Flowervale Street’ opposite Ewan McGregor.
Her fashion commitments have kept pace with her film schedule. Earlier this year, Hathaway appeared alongside Priyanka Chopra Jonas in Bulgari’s 2026 Serpenti campaign, one of the jewelry house’s most high-profile seasonal launches. She has spoken about how this kind of work now feels natural rather than nerve-wracking, attributing the change to a deeper sense of personal openness. “When I arrived at that place in a more meaningful way in my life, that was when it opened up for me in terms of a tangible relationship in fashion,” she said. The campaign marked another chapter in what has become a genuinely significant presence in luxury brand culture.
What makes Hathaway’s current moment so compelling is the way she has tied personal growth to professional achievement. Rather than simply aging gracefully in the Hollywood sense, she seems to have done the internal work that allows her to show up differently. Her willingness to speak openly about fear and insecurity, rather than projecting an image of effortless success, makes her story feel relatable and grounded. At 43, she appears to be at something close to a creative and personal peak.
Anne Hathaway was born on November 12, 1982, in Brooklyn, New York, and grew up in Millburn, New Jersey. She first gained widespread recognition playing Princess Mia in ‘The Princess Diaries’ in 2001, a role that launched her into family film stardom. Her career took a dramatic turn with more mature roles in films like ‘Brokeback Mountain’, ‘The Devil Wears Prada’, and ‘Rachel Getting Married’, the last of which earned her her first Academy Award nomination. She won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress for her performance as Fantine in ‘Les Misérables’ in 2013, a role she prepared for with intense physical and emotional dedication. She has since appeared in major productions including ‘Interstellar’, ‘Ocean’s Eight’, and ‘The Dark Knight Rises’, cementing herself as one of the most versatile actresses of her generation. Her ability to move between prestige drama, blockbuster action, and now fashion-forward public appearances speaks to a range that few in Hollywood can match.
If you have thoughts on Anne Hathaway’s transformation or which of her upcoming projects has you most excited, share them in the comments.
