If there’s one thing we know about The Devil Wears Prada 2, it’s that excess comes with the territory: a high-fashion wardrobe, high-stakes drama and the return of Meryl Streep’s formidable Miranda Priestly. But even a film this packed has its limits.
Case in point: a cameo from Sydney Sweeney that ultimately didn’t make the final cut.
According to Entertainment Weekly, Sweeney filmed a scene as herself, only for it to be removed in what sources describe as a “creative decision”. After being spotted heading to set in mid-2025, speculation around her appearance proved well-founded.
It was just after she was spotted on set that Sweeney was dominating headlines for her 2025 American Eagle campaign, which sparked controversy over its slogan.
The phrase “Sydney Sweeney has great jeans” drew backlash online, with some critics interpreting the wordplay on “genes” as evoking ideas tied to eugenics and white beauty standards.
Her cameo, meanwhile, was reportedly part of a three-minute sequence designed to reintroduce Emily Blunt’s Emily Charlton, now reimagined as the head of U.S. operations for Dior.
In the scene, Charlton is shown in action, styling Sweeney ahead of a meeting with Miranda. Ultimately, however, the moment was deemed not to work “structurally” within the broader film and was cut.
The filmmakers are said to have expressed gratitude for Sweeney’s involvement, noting the decision was a difficult one. The sequel follows Andy Sachs (Anne Hathaway), now an established journalist, as she reunites with Miranda and Nigel (Stanley Tucci) to steady Runway amid industry upheaval, turning to Emily, now firmly embedded at Dior, for support.
While Sweeney won’t appear in the final cut, the film still leans into its expanded fashion universe. Lady Gaga is set to make a cameo and contribute to the soundtrack, with additional newcomers including Kenneth Branagh, Lucy Liu and Justin Theroux joining the returning cast.
The Devil Wears Prada 2 arrives in cinemas May 1.
