Anne Hathaway has made her priorities clear: a New York Knicks championship ranks higher on her wish list than winning another Academy Award.
The actress, who captured an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress in 2013 for "Les Misérables," revealed her sporting allegiances during a recent interview. Her devotion to the Knicks runs deep enough that she has become something of a talisman for the team, with her public appearances seemingly tied to their playoff fortunes.
The Knicks' 2024 postseason run provides the backdrop for Hathaway's declaration. The team's April loss to the Atlanta Hawks in Game 2 of their first-round series preceded a significant entertainment milestone: the May 1 premiere of "The Devil Wears Prada 2," the long-awaited sequel to the 2006 cultural phenomenon. In the film, Hathaway's character, Andy Sachs, references the Knicks during a scene that plays into her own New York City identity.
The "Devil Wears Prada" sequel marks a major moment in Hathaway's career resurgence. The original film, directed by David Fincher and based on Lauren Weisberger's novel, became a touchstone for fashion cinema and launched a thousand memes, particularly around Meryl Streep's ice-queen Miranda Priestly. Hathaway's performance as the earnest, ambitious Andy earned her significant acclaim and helped establish her as a leading actress in prestige projects. The follow-up represents rare studio confidence in revisiting a beloved property nearly two decades later.
Yet Hathaway's investment in the Knicks suggests her emotional energy extends well beyond the film world. The NBA team, perennial contenders throughout the 1990s under Phil Jackson and Michael Jordan's era but increasingly defined by heartbreak since, carries symbolic weight for New York City itself. A Knicks championship would represent a 50-year drought broken, something that has eluded the franchise since 1970.
Her willingness to rank a Knicks title above a second Oscar speaks to how differently actors view achievement in sports versus their own industry. Oscar wins carry prestige and industry recognition. But a Knicks championship represents something more communal, a victory shared by an entire city and one that transcends individual ambition. For Hathaway, that collective triumph apparently holds more meaning than personal accolades.
This sentiment also reflects broader celebrity culture around the Knicks. The team has always attracted high-profile fans, from Spike Lee to Carmelo Anthony's wife. For New York-based celebrities, supporting the Knicks functions as both genuine fandom and cultural positioning. Hathaway's public embrace of the team, and her hope for their success, plants her firmly within New York's identity.
Whether the Knicks will grant her wish remains uncertain. The team's 2024 playoff run continues to develop, and their championship aspirations have faced consistent obstacles. But for now, Hathaway's stance offers a refreshing counterpoint to the typical awards-chase narrative that defines Hollywood. Sometimes, the biggest prize is simply watching your home team finally win.