Anne Hathaway Reflects on 'Princess Diaries 3' and Recalls Her Past as a 'Chronically Stressed Young Woman' (Exclusive)

Anne Hathaway Teases Princess Diaries Recalls Past as a Chronically Stressed Young Woman

Anne Hathaway Taylor Hill/FilmMagic

Anne Hathaway made her Hollywood debut with her charming role in The Princess Diaries. However, behind the scenes, her early career was filled with a lot of stress.

In an exclusive preview from We's The Interview podcast, Hathaway, now 41, revealed, "As a young woman who was constantly stressed, I vividly remember one day realizing, 'You are not appreciating your life. You are taking it for granted.'" The full episode will be released on Saturday, April 27 in The New York Times Magazine.

Hathaway remembered reassuring herself, “You never know. Anything could happen, and that could be the end.”

Now in her forties and with years of experience in acting, Hathaway has been working on overcoming those fears. “Whenever I feel those old fears creeping up, I simply remind myself, ‘You won't die worrying,’” she shared.

The Oscar winner noted that as a young woman she “didn’t know how to breathe yet,” remembering that was “really complicated” for her.

Anne Hathaway Teases Princess Diaries Recalls Past as a Chronically Stressed Young Woman

Anne Hathaway shared with Devin Oktar Yalkin for The New York Times that when she was asked about what was causing her stress in the past, her response was, "The simple answer is literally everything. I was very in my head about a lot of things."

Hathaway explored her past quirks and sources of stress in a recent podcast episode, as highlighted in The New York Times Magazine. She also hinted at The Princess Diaries 3 and a special surprise for fans in The Idea of You.

Keep reading for more insights from Hathaway's most recent interview:

Updates on 'Princess Diaries 3'

Anne Hathaway confirmed that there are plans for the next installment of the Disney movie franchise when asked by reporter David Marchese. She simply replied with a "Yep" when questioned if there was anything in the works.

She teased, “I don’t think it would be nice” to tell fans any more details.

Does She Have a Favorite Past Project?

The actress prefers looking ahead instead of dwelling on her past movie roles. She mentioned that she doesn't watch her own films but appreciates that many of them are cozy and comforting. She finds the idea of having a recognizable name strange and doesn't think about it much.

'The Idea of You' Does Have an Easter Egg About Her Hometown

In the 2024 movie, Hathaway’s character, Solène, is depicted as “a people pleaser from New Jersey,” a trait she mentioned she may have suggested.

Hathaway shared that she sees herself as a former people pleaser from New Jersey. She explained that one of the reasons she was drawn to acting was because it allowed her to express herself in ways she couldn't do alone. Acting made her feel connected, but when she wasn't acting, she felt lost. She mentioned that trying to find her way, she often found herself thinking about making others happy as a way to navigate through life.

Age Is Just a Number

She explained that it can be a lengthy process to reach a point where you are comfortable not knowing your true identity. If your identity revolves around making others happy, that is fine too. However, she personally does not prioritize being overly accommodating.

Hathaway was thrilled to portray a character in her forties in The Idea of You. However, she doesn't view reaching that age in real life as a major achievement.

"I don’t really see it as a big deal. I have other things that I consider more important milestones," she explained. "I usually don't mention it, but I have been sober for over five years. That is a milestone for me. Turning forty feels like a blessing."

Reflecting on Past Stress

The actress from The Devil Wears Prada shared that she focuses on healing from her past stress rather than dwelling on it. She mentioned that she does not spend much time thinking about it as she feels she has moved past it. Instead, she works on being present in the moment. She expressed gratitude for her growth and feeling more settled within herself. She also noted that the conversations around mental health and self-care have evolved since her younger years.

Adam Sandler's Support During Filming 'The Idea of You'

While working on 'The Idea of You', I was fortunate to stay in a gorgeous house in Atlanta, Georgia, thanks to Adam Sandler. It was much bigger than what I needed, but coming home to an empty house after work was a bit unsettling for me.

Hathaway noticed that the house felt too quiet and lacking in laughter. To bring some cheer, she started watching stand-up comedy specials, including Adam Sandler’s “100% Fresh.”

The actress expressed her admiration for Adam Sandler, calling him extraordinary, beloved, and iconic. She mentioned that she knows every line from his movies like Billy Madison, Happy Gilmore, and The Wedding Singer.

Hathaway shared that she finds it easier to discuss Adam Sandler, someone she has never met, than to talk about her own inner thoughts and motivations. She mentioned the need to work on this aspect.

To listen to the complete episode of "The Interview" podcast featuring Hathaway, tune in every Saturday for new episodes. The conversations can also be accessed online and in print in NYT Mag.

Editor's P/S:

Anne Hathaway's journey from a stressed young actress to a self-assured woman is inspiring. Her realization that she was taking her life for granted prompted her to confront her fears and prioritize her well-being. Her approach to overcoming stress, by reminding herself of the fragility of life, is a valuable lesson in appreciating the present moment.

Hathaway's reflections on her past also shed light on the evolution of mental health conversations. While she struggled with stress in her early career, she acknowledges the increased awareness and support available today. Her emphasis on healing and growth shows that it's never too late to address past struggles and foster a healthier mindset. Additionally, her admiration for Adam Sandler, despite not knowing him personally, highlights the transformative power of comedy and the importance of finding joy in life's moments.