Aline Brosh McKenna - The Rom Com Queen Who Wrote The Devil Wears Prada

May 6, 2026

Aline Brosh McKenna, screenwriter and director best known for The Devil Wears Prada and co-creator of Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, reflects on a career that flipped at 38. She chats about writing bold, brash characters, revisiting Miranda for a sequel, her scrappy on-set craft, failed magazine dreams that nudged her to screenwriting, and the hard-won confidence to ask for what she wants.

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INSIGHT

People Pleasing Is A Strategic Strength

27 Dresses reframes people-pleasing as a strength rather than weakness.
Aline wrote it from the best friend’s POV, arguing women’s shapeshifting and emotional labor can be powerful assets, not mere subservience.

ADVICE

Stop Smallifying Your Voice

Do stop 'smallifying' your ideas and language in meetings and writing.
Aline encourages women to avoid apologetic hedging and occupy more space instead of cinching their legs or diluting proposals.

INSIGHT

Sequel Finds Purpose In Real World Change

Revisiting characters works when the world around them has meaningfully changed.
Aline found the sequel compelling because fashion, publishing and journalism transformed, giving new stakes for Miranda and Andy.

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