Real-Life Emily Says The Devil Wears Prada Betrayed Her

Every few years someone pops up to claim they were the real-life version of a beloved movie character. This time, it is not a vague muse situation. Celebrity stylist Leslie Fremar straight-up says she is the blueprint for Emily Charlton from The Devil Wears Prada.

How we got here

On the Tuesday, April 28 episode of Vogue's 'Run-Through' podcast, host Chloe Malle asked Fremar about Lauren Weisberger's 2003 novel and the 2006 movie. Fremar did not blink. She hired Weisberger back in the day, worked directly with her at Vogue, and says the assistant character played by Emily Blunt was absolutely modeled on her. The deadpan line that made it into the film - that a million girls would kill for this job - was Fremar's actual go-to pep talk at the office. She meant it, she adds, especially because she could tell Weisberger did not exactly want to be there.

The Anna Wintour chapter

Fremar only learned about the book after she had left Vogue. Cue a call from Anna Wintour's office: come in. She arrived terrified. Wintour, who received an early manuscript from Weisberger, wanted answers about her former junior assistant, who, per Fremar, worked there just eight months. Then came the line Fremar has never forgotten:

'She wrote a book about us, and you are worse than me.'

Wintour let Fremar read that early draft. According to Fremar, it was darker and meaner than what eventually hit shelves; an editor later toned it down and added some levity. Fremar still found it hurtful at the time - a betrayal, even - because back then you did not blast the inner workings of your job out into the world, even with a fiction label slapped on top. And despite the 'novel' packaging, a lot of what was on the page tracked with things both women actually lived through.

What was real, what was movie magic

• Real: Weisberger was a fish out of water in the fashion office and did not seem into the fashion part, period.
• Real: Fremar really did swap Birkenstocks for heels when Anna walked in - and got caught.
• Real: Fremar was likely high-strung and not particularly nice at times, because she felt she was covering her assistant's work while that assistant might have been, well, writing a book.
• Movie magic: Andrea 'Andy' Sachs, played by Anne Hathaway ( 43), turning into a superstar journalist. Fremar says she did not witness anything like that.

Who inspired who

Fremar is convinced the book drew almost entirely from her and Anna. Weisberger, now 49, did not really socialize with others around the office, Fremar says, so the experience base was narrow: Leslie and Anna. The movie then spun that into Runway magazine and the formidable Miranda Priestly, played by Meryl Streep (76).

Do they talk now?

No. Fremar says she has not seen Weisberger in about 20 years. She does not hold a grudge, but also, there is nothing to say at this point. It would be awkward.

The Emily Blunt moment

At some point, Fremar met Emily Blunt (43) and introduced herself as, essentially, Blunt's source material: 'I am Emily.' She expected a big reaction. She did not get one. Blunt was polite and moved on. Fremar laughs about it now.

And the movie itself?

Fremar separated herself from it and enjoyed the film for what it is. For the record, she has styled Charlize Theron, Hailey Bieber, Nicole Kidman, and a lot of other very famous closets since those Vogue days.

One last curveball

File under unexpected timing: The Devil Wears Prada 2 is set to hit theaters on Friday, May 1. Make of that what you will.