The Real Reason Sydney Sweeney Was Just Axed From 'The Devil Wears Prada 2
We are less than two weeks away from the May 1 global release of The Devil Wears Prada 2, and the early reactions pouring out of the New York premiere are already calling it the "fun and fierce" sequel we’ve spent two decades waiting for.
The latest casualty of that brutal editing process? Sydney Sweeney.
Despite set photos leaking last year and rumors running wild across social media, the Euphoria star will officially not be appearing in the final theatrical cut of the movie.
The Celebrity Client That Wasn't
According to the latest industry reports from Variety and The Hollywood Reporter, Sweeney wasn't slated for a massive supporting role. She shot a brief, early-film cameo playing a version of herself—a high-profile celebrity client being styled by Emily Charlton (Emily Blunt), who has spent the last twenty years climbing the ladder and now heads up Dior's U.S. operations.
On paper, the sequence sounds like an absolute slam dunk. Sweeney is undeniably one of the most talked-about young stars on the planet right now. Having her interact with Blunt’s notoriously biting, high-strung character could have easily resulted in a viral, meme-worthy moment. But movies aren't built on memes; they’re built on pacing and momentum. The sequence was ultimately axed following test screenings, chalked up to a standard "creative decision" by returning director David Frankel.
When a studio is juggling the highly anticipated, legacy reunion of Meryl Streep, Anne Hathaway, and Emily Blunt, every single second of screen time is precious real estate. If a scene doesn't actively push the central conflict forward, it becomes dead weight—even if it features a massive A-lister in stunning couture.
Trimming the Fat: The Roommate Problem
Sweeney actually wasn't the only actor to receive the dreaded post-production phone call. Conrad Ricamora, who had been cast to play Andy Sachs’ roommate, also had his scenes completely removed.
During test screenings, audiences were reportedly confused as to why Andy—who was a struggling intern in the original but has since evolved into a senior executive and features editor making a return to Runway magazine—would still be living with a roommate.
This is exactly why test screenings exist. It proves that the creative team is actively listening to the audience's perception of these characters' growth, prioritizing narrative logic over keeping extra side characters in the mix.
The Real Stakes at Runway
With the extraneous cameos trimmed away, the focus remains squarely where it belongs: the brutal, shifting, and deeply cynical landscape of modern print media.
The early buzz from the world premiere praises Aline Brosh McKenna's razor-sharp screenplay, which reportedly places Miranda Priestly in a completely desperate position. Runway magazine is struggling to survive the digital era, forcing the legendary, icy editor to do the unthinkable: seek advertising revenue from her former assistant, Emily, who now holds all the financial power.
And don't worry, the elite glamour is still very much intact. While Sweeney might be absent, the film is still stacked with major fashion-world heavyweights, including real-life cameos from Naomi Campbell (shot during Milan Fashion Week) and Donatella Versace, plus a killer original soundtrack contribution from Lady Gaga.
At the end of the day, cutting Sydney Sweeney isn't a knock against the actress. It is a testament to David Frankel and his editing team being absolutely ruthless in protecting the pacing of their movie. They know exactly who the true stars of this franchise are, and they are refusing to let anything distract from that holy trinity.
Miranda Priestly wouldn't have it any other way. That’s all.
What do you guys think? Are you bummed we won't get to see Emily Blunt styling Sydney Sweeney, or are you glad the director kept the focus entirely on the original trio? Sound off in the comments below, and let’s keep it unfiltered.
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