The upcoming sequel to The Devil Wears Prada appears to include a subplot that takes aim at Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and his wife, Lauren Sánchez Bezos, drawing attention to the couple's growing influence in the fashion industry. However, Emily Blunt, who reprises her role as Emily Charlton, has denied any direct connection between her character and Sánchez Bezos.
According to early viewers, the film features Blunt's character as a high-flying journalist engaged to a billionaire tech mogul played by Justin Theroux. Theroux's character is reportedly a composite of Bezos and Tesla CEO Elon Musk, indulging his wife's every whim. The plot also alludes to rumors that the Bezoses attempted to acquire Condé Nast, publisher of Vogue, though Sánchez Bezos has previously denied such claims.
Plot Details and Denials
In the sequel, Emily Charlton strives to persuade her wealthy partner to purchase Runway magazine, the fictional publication at the heart of the franchise. This storyline mirrors industry speculation about the Bezoses' ambitions in the fashion world. However, a spokesperson for Blunt told Variety that it was "absolutely not true" that her character was inspired by Sánchez Bezos. The Independent has reached out to representatives for Sánchez Bezos and Disney for comment.
The film also nods to MacKenzie Scott, Bezos's first wife, through Lucy Liu's character—a philanthropist using her divorce settlement for charitable good. Scott has reportedly donated over $19 billion since her 2019 divorce from Bezos.
Real-Life Parallels and Backlash
The original 2006 film drew heavily from real fashion industry figures, with Meryl Streep's Miranda Priestly inspired by Vogue's Anna Wintour. For the sequel, research reportedly included interviews with former and current Condé Nast employees, fueling speculation that journalists' concerns about billionaires acquiring magazines influenced the Bezos portrayal.
Bezos purchased The Washington Post in 2013, and his ownership has been linked to softer coverage of Donald Trump's second term. The Bezoses have also deepened their fashion ties, sponsoring the Met Gala in May 2026. This sponsorship has sparked a boycott campaign by the activist group Everyone Hates Elon, which has distributed flyers across New York City reading "Boycott the Bezos Met Gala."
Reviews for The Devil Wears Prada 2 remain under embargo until next week, but the film's release comes amid increasing scrutiny of the Bezoses' role in the fashion landscape.
