It’s not about who is wearing what, the state of media or the future of retail. It is about gender and power, and the different ways to use and misuse it.

Raking in $233 million internationally in its first opening weekend, the No. 1 film globally, “The Devil Wears Prada 2” is a movie by women, for women, starring women and diving into how women treat each other on their career rises and falls with men mostly making the final decisions on careers. All of this at a time that is treacherous for the current economy as AI reshapes how every job is performed.

And the women are watching.

“#DevilWearsPrada2 @20thcentury is a movie by #women, for women, starring women and diving into how women treat each other on their #career rises and falls with men mostly making the final decisions on #careers. #leadership”

The Guardian reports, “Women made up about 76% of the ticket buyers, according to PostTrak exit polls; 74% said they would ‘definitely recommend’ the movie to friends.”

In an all-seats filled 4 p.m. showing the first Saturday of its run in a Chicago theater, there were only a few men attending, with some female moviegoers dressed in Miranda Priestly, Emily Charlton and Andy Sachs-inspired outfits.

The film is not so much about the costumes and the surprise appearances of global celebrities on screen in New York, The Hamptons and Milan, Italy, as it is about how women leaders get there and who they help—or hurt—along the way. Each main female character has a defining leadership style, and her own relationship with power. She is either a mentor, saboteur, or both—depending on the competition and the level of revenge. They succeed and fail and succeed again.

“Each main female character has a defining #leadership style, and her own relationship with #power. She is either a mentor, saboteur, or both—depending on the competition and the level of revenge. #DevilWearsPrada2 @takeleadwomen”

The men in the film, all have power, wielding it differently and benefitting themselves first and foremost. From the media conglomerate owner character, Irv Ravitz, to the lovable Nigel superbly performed by Stanley Tucci, clueless billionaire, annoying bro son who inherits the media company and the realtor mogul Peter, each male figure wields power with finesse or folly. Like in real life.

The fictional script reflects the real world. A 2024 study of more than 50 years of gender and leadership studies “finds that women leaders consistently receive higher ratings than men across most effective leadership styles.”

“A 2024 study of more than 50 years of #gender and #leadership studies “finds that women leaders consistently receive higher ratings than men across most effective leadership styles. #DeilWearsPrada2”

The findings of the study 10 years in the making, “challenge traditional stereotypes that typically associate men with task-oriented, or assertive, behaviors and women with relationship-focused, or communal, approaches. The study revealed that women leaders are rated higher not only in communal leadership aspects but also in effective assertive behaviors, such as providing contingent rewards and maintaining clear organizational structure.”

No surprise that this film is written by two women, Aline Brosh McKenna and Lauren Weisberger, as they unpack the gendered journey to leadership, mission, innovation and fairness in a world where creativity, control and access is redefined. Weisberger wrote the 2003 novel based, as she says, on her one-year stint at Vogue as editor Anna Wintour’s assistant. That is the character, Andy Sachs, played by Anne Hathaway in both the first and second versions of the movie.

The question is, are you a leader like Miranda, Andy, Emily or Sasha Barnes, the character Lucy Liu plays who is a billionaire who shuns the limelight—sometimes.

“The question is, are you a leader like Miranda, Andy, Emily or Sasha Barnes, the character Lucy Liu plays who is a billionaire who shuns the limelight—sometimes. #DeilWearsPrada2 @takeleadwomen”

Miranda Priestly: Played by Meryl Streep, and known for her unemotional facial expressions and dismissiveness, as the editor-in-chief of Runway magazine, she has evolved from the domineering ruler of the first movie version. Having to hang up her own coat now, she fumbles with being politically correct, and erases the input of those around her.

“The @MerylStreep character #MirandaPriestly as EIC of Runway magazine, has evolved from the domineering ruler of the first movie version. Having to hang up her own coat now, she fumbles with being politically correct, and erases the input of those around her. #leadershipstyles ”

She is unkind to Charlie The Chair who answers the phone outside her office and is not allowed to leave his desk. She is power personified, highly intelligent, and also excellent at not exuding any emotion, intentionally deflating the male criticism that women leaders are too emotional. Her own rise to the top is her high priority and she is set to step into the top global head of content spot for all her company’s media holdings.

While her character is fictional, the power the character reveals is antithetical to the mission of the 9 Leadership Power Tools, which rewires the “power over” habits of leaders like Priestly.

“We teach you ‘power to’—the ability to make things happen on your terms, lead authentically, and change the system while thriving in it,” says Gloria Feldt, co-founder and president of Take The Lead.

In her sarcastic tone, Priestly sighs, “By all means, move at a glacial pace, you know how that thrills me.”

She is motivated by brand—first her own, that is difficult to separate from the magazine’s. It is all about image and reputation, which is threatened. She is also a micromanager and macromanager at the same time. And she is all about image and projection of success.

“Miranda Priestly is motivated by #brand—first her own, that is difficult to separate from the magazine’s. It is all about image and reputation, which is threatened. #power #leadershipstyle #DeilWearsPrada2”

“Your bag, your scarf, your perfume, your umbrella, tells the world who you are,” she admonishes her asiistant. She is a leader deep into the present moment and the perception of being inscrutable and unattainable—a goal of elites. Her verbal and facial expressions all support this mode of emotionless perfection, likely to rise to the very top in male-dominated media.

A study by Textio, which analysed performance reviews for more than 25,000 people at 253 organizations, shows “78 % of women have been described as ‘emotional’ in performance reviews, compared to just 11 per cent of men, according to People Management.

Additionally, “56% of women received feedback labelling them as ‘unlikeable’ in performance reviews, a criticism faced by only 16 per cent of men. And while two thirds (67 per cent) of men were described as intelligent, only 32 per cent of women said the same.”

Professionally, Priestly is impeccable and sleek, showing little emotion, but at home she appears to be an appreciative partner, and does not allow her work to interfere with family and friends. She is not so nice at work.

“You did not earn this job. You are a CEO’s whim,” Priestly says to Andy Sachs. Another time she snaps, “You are a girl who likes validation.”

“You’re not a visionary, you’re a vendor,” she chastises Emily Charlton.

Andrea Sachs: The recent Medill School of Journalism grad in the first movie, played by Anne Hathaway, is now a formidable journalist, who at the start of the sequel wins an investigative reporting award from the New York Press Club and is promptly fired with the entire staff.

With 20 years of experience building her journalism chops, Sachs is invited to be the new features editor at Runway by the owner, Irv Ravitz. Making dramatic statements about the need for quality journalism everywhere, she is about mission, storytelling and pulling up the women around her who are hungry for experience and promotion.

Fashion superiority is not a key part of who she is, her drive, talent and mission are her cornerstones. She is good to the interns and assistants, and talks about wanting to do more, bring more—but for the benefit of the audience first. She is flummoxed by the new realities of digital performance, whereas in small outlets, just producing the story is the win, not a race for clicks and opens.

“Making dramatic statements about the need for quality journalism everywhere, the Andy Sachs character played by @AnneHathaway is about mission, storytelling and pulling up the women around her who are hungry for experience and promotion. @MedillSchool #storytelling #mission ”

She accepts leadership styles of others, and works to fit her own mission minding their boundaries. She is an ideal mentor and leader who is always brainstorming and working. Her work definitely leaks over into her personal life, and her talk with a new dating partner about him reading her work is revelatory.

She wants her talent seen first, and how she appears is an added bonus. With this approach, she elicits affirmations and adulations, even some she was not away of. Andy is not elitist or snobbish, which is best defined when Nigel remarks at her arrival, “Look what TJ Maxx dragged in.”

But Sachs does not deny who she is, she embraces it, reflecting Power Tool #1 in Take The Lead’s 9 Leadership Power Tools to Advance Your Career course.: “Know your history.”

As Feldt says, “That’s why I created the course. It’s built from everything I’ve learned, to help you tap into your own strength and step fully into your leadership. You already have more power than you think. You deserve equal pay, positions, and power—and we’re here to help you get there.”

Register for the Power Up Conference 2026 to learn more

According to the Talent Management Institute, mission-driven female CEOs and leaders excel at transformation and improved results.

“This approach doesn't rely on positional authority. Instead, it builds on a leader's ability to uplift, engage, and drive lasting change. Women naturally excel in this style through specific behaviors. They create workplaces where employees feel valued, heard, and motivated. Studies show people perform better when they feel supported, and female leaders cultivate this environment instinctively.”

“@TalentManagmentInstitute: “This mission-based approach builds on a leader’s ability to uplift, engage, and drive lasting change. Studies show people perform better when they feel supported, and female leaders cultivate this environment instinctively.” #DevilWearsPrada2 #leadership #power @takeleadwomen ”

Women “bring a mission-driven mindset, ensuring employees feel connected to a bigger vision rather than just a paycheck.” Additionally, “Women CEOs ground vision in purpose rather than ego. They care about long-term impact on employees, customers, and communities. One infrastructure CEO explains she thrives "when I'm working with a team to set a clear vision and relentlessly pursue it."

Emily Charlton. The character played by Emily Blunt in both the original and the sequel is ego-driven and out for her own gain, even at the expense of others. Her line, “May the bridges I burn light my way,” perfectly exemplifies her work ethic and tactics, that exclude, not include. She pretends to cooperate, but is always and only out for herself. She pushes hard to succeed in the workplace as a reflection on her, not the company brand or the mission. And she lies.

She barks orders at Dior, where she is head of the U.S. retail division overseeing a huge retail makeover on Fifth Avenue, and is all about the money personally, as she is divorced and newly dating a clueless billionaire.

“Emily Charlton played by @EmilyBlunt says: May the bridges I burn light my way.” She pretends to cooperate, but is always and only out for herself. #DevilWearsPrada2 @takeleadwomen #ego ”

Blunt tells Entertainment Weekly, Emily is "on a quest for success at her own undoing. I think she's always been someone who defines herself by her job, which is a slippery slope.”

After the plot twist plays out, Emily Charlton has left Dior and is working at Coach, the handbag brand, and this is seen as a demotion.

Research in ScienceDirect found “that narcissism may be performance enhancing in the context of female CEOs because female CEOs are unique – based on both nurture (i.e., the double bind) and nature (i.e., evolutionary traits) – in being able to exploit the bright sides of narcissism while moderating its dark sides. Narcissistic, female CEOs beat their male peers in terms of corporate performance.”

“What kind of #leader works best? It appears that the #mission-driven leader, and not the one who is brand-driven or ego-driven, operates with the best outcomes. #DevilWearsPrada2 @takeleadwomen”

The study continues, “Due to the social role expectations of women, women are supposed to possess more communal characteristics such as being nurturing, warm, friendly, and emotionally expressive. Perceptions about successful leadership and feminine gender identity often conflict and force women to navigate between leadership qualities and female expectations.”

Emily Charlton is the type of leader who does not naturally collaborate with other women, but maintains a pretense of it, while managing her role in terms of what will benefit her most.

What kind of leader works best? It appears that the mission-driven leader, and not the one who is brand-driven or ego-driven, operates with the best outcomes. Andy Sachs delivers the win-win situation in the end of the movie, which of course, is achieved by a female billionaire. Bailouts and wish lists achieved.

“Gloria Feldt, cofounder, President @takeleadwomen: “I know firsthand that the toughest battle is in your mindset—and that success doesn’t come from just working harder or checking the boxes. It comes from recognizing your unique value and embracing your power.” #DevilWearsPrada2”

As Feldt says, “I know firsthand that the toughest battle is in your mindset—and that success doesn’t come from just working harder or checking the boxes. It comes from recognizing your unique value and embracing your power.”

Yes, yes.

Plan to be at the Power Up Concert & Conference, Audacity: Leadership in Action, August 25–26, 2026 in Washington, D.C. with Women's Equality Day Keynote: Margaret Atwood, a roster of top speakers, panels, concert, Femme Art Fair, reception & dinner.
You'll leave with Power to lead, Power to connect, Power to act, and no doubt about which side of history you're on. Register here, Mother’s Day pricing through May 11.

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About the Author

Michele Weldon is editorial director of Take The Lead, an award-winning author, journalist, emerita faculty in journalism at Northwestern University and a senior leader with The OpEd Project. @micheleweldon www.micheleweldon.com

No, No: It’s About How Women In Power Treat Each Other

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