Andrea Sachs in The Devil Wears Prada was not supposed to survive Runway Magazine, much less flourish. It therefore became one of the most iconic character arcs in modern cinematography with the journey in The Devil Wears Prada. An outsider in fashion by her own admission, Andy navigated much experience, ruthless office politics, and an unforgettable boss.
Now, with news of a sequel finally in development, fans buzz to see just how far Andrea finally comes after walking away from Miranda Priestly in Paris. Did she keep that presence of conviction, or did the industry pull her back in? The original did leave us with a character—somebody relatable, ambitious, and caught between two worlds: idealism and success.
These 10 unforgettable moments not only define Andrea Sachs but bring enough meat for a follow-up filled with emotional weight and sharp, witty banter. They also offer a fresh perspective on ambition that asks, what does one do in a post-Runway world? Here’s why we just couldn’t wait.
These 10 Andrea Sachs moments from The Devil Wears Prada will make you eagerly wait for the sequel
1. Andrea’s awkward job interview with Miranda

Upon entering the Runway offices in a polyester blazer and with a clueless attitude, she immediately marks herself as an outcast in that realm. The brutal interview with Miranda Priestly—silences and side-eyes being thrown about with sarcasm—is Andrea’s introduction into a world she has yet to comprehend.
Recently, Anne Hathaway revealed in an interview that the coldness of Miranda in that scene was Meryl Streep’s idea, bringing an added layer of authenticity to it. The anticipation of who she is in the sequel grows instead as Andrea bumbles through getting the job in the first one: still eager and willing, but far more prepared.
2. When Miranda gave Andy her first real compliment in Paris

Andy finally gets a moment of affirmation when Miranda makes a comment: “You remind me of me, when I was your age.” This warm second is a deep sea change in their relationship. Anne Hathaway revealed that it was one of the most emotionally draining scenes to shoot—trying to convey shock, pride, and unease all at once.
Fans were highly touched by the vulnerability expressed by both these characters in this case. People are eagerly waiting to see how Miranda’s idolization could affect Andy in the sequel.
3. Her first fashion makeover

One of the most iconic moments of transformation in modern cinema is created by Nigel’s decision to give Andrea a complete fashion makeover. From frumpy sweaters to Chanel boots and a clean ponytail, Andrea’s makeover is both literal and symbolic. It is not about losing her identity—it is about learning the language of power. Recently, costume designer Patricia Field declared in an interview that Anne Hathaway tried on over sixty different outfits just for that scene.
That level of attention to detail shows. The montage is still being passed around on TikTok and Instagram in the fashion set, preserving its cultural significance. That was Andrea’s major turning point, and fans are curious about how her style has evolved now.
4. Nailing the James Holt Preview event

Andrea’s not just sporting designer labels—she’s proving herself. At the James Holt preview party, she shifts from reluctant sidekick to efficient right-hand woman. Quick thinking and poise in the face of danger indicate that she’s no longer merely “the smart fat girl.” Indeed, this party serves as proof that she’s learning the ropes of Miranda’s world.
Off-screen, Hathaway explained this scene was filmed on one of the most overlong days of production, with dozens of extras and actual fashion editors on hand. The sequel can provide us with a chance to see Andrea hosting such events herself, with her own assistant potentially in tow.
5. When she gets Miranda’s Starbucks order perfectly

It’s just coffee, right? Not when it’s for Miranda Priestly. The day Andrea finally brings the precise Starbucks order—with no spills, no attitude, and no errors—is a quiet triumph. It’s the moment she gets Miranda’s first genuine look of approval. In a 2023 AMA, Anne Hathaway quipped that she still remembers the intricate order from filming.
It’s also evidence that Andrea had learned and mastered the unwritten rules of her world. She has fans who want to know how she’ll navigate power now that she has it.
6. Andrea outsmarts Emily for the Paris trip

This is a moment that hurts—and that’s why it works. When Andrea is selected over Emily to go to Paris, it’s a victory that has a price. Her ambition ultimately wins out over her conscience, leaving her wracked with guilt but irrepressibly good. It’s one of the film’s most ethically ambiguous moments and an excellent precursor to further character development in the sequel.
Interestingly, Emily Blunt went on to say that originally, the script had Andy decline the trip, but that alteration made the arc more intricate. The scene illustrates Andrea learning how ruthless success can be, and we want to know how she lives with that decision years later.
7. That iconic blue sweater realization moment

When Andy makes a wisecrack about two identical belts, Miranda sets off the classic blue monologue—a cool, measured demolition of the deep economics of fashion. As she explains how Andy’s “lumpy blue sweater” was selected by Runway insiders and traced back to big designers, the film begins to shift. What started as a light comedy becomes a biting critique of consumer power.
The moment has since been used as a touchstone in fashion and media studies to demonstrate trickle-down influence. It’s where Andy—and we—understand that fashion decisions aren’t whimsical, they’re strategic. No wonder the moment continues to echo through TikTok analyses and pop culture essays.
8. The meltdown call in the middle of a storm

In one of the most realistic on-screen breakdowns, Andrea must search for Miranda’s flight information in the midst of a thunderstorm—on her boyfriend’s birthday, no less. Her frantic call and obvious guilt demonstrate just how immersed her work has begun to become in her life. Anne Hathaway has said that filming this scene was emotionally draining, and the anger on-screen was real.
This is the pivot point where Andrea begins wondering what she’s giving up. Fans are starving to know how she manages work and life these days. Does she maintain boundaries, or did she jump deeper into the high-stress world?
9. Walking away from Miranda in Paris

Paris was a prize, but it becomes Andrea’s turning point. Having seen Miranda sell out Nigel for selfish reasons, Andrea witnesses the price of success and at last decides to get out. She doesn’t merely quit the city, but also the existence that almost destroyed her. That unassuming departure in a trench coat under rain-bearing clouds is one of the most powerful moments in the film.
The follow-up has room to take off here: did Andrea remain idealistic, or did time and the business bring her back in? Fans are eager to see what that walkaway really stood for.
10. Throwing the phone into the fountain

Andrea’s ultimate gesture—leaving her phone in a Parisian fountain—is pure cinematic poetry. It’s rebellious, symbolic, and utterly fulfilling. She’s not only leaving a job; she’s choosing herself. In the background, Anne Hathaway described the scene as “like breaking free in real life.” This one movement became a cultural icon of leaving bad situations behind.
The scene still inspires memes, GIFs, and even motivational posts. With a sequel to be created, there’s speculation among fans regarding whether Andrea remains committed to that decision. Or did the fashion industry beckon her back in a manner that she could not resist?
Andrea Sachs’s journey in The Devil Wears Prada goes beyond fashion—it is a story of identity, growth, and learning to define success on her own terms. These indelible moments capture her metamorphosis from a naive newcomer to a woman capable of standing up to the very system that tried to refashion her.
The sequel on the horizon has fans wondering how Andy’s past shaped her future.
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