Did Miranda Priestly from The Devil Wears Prada ever remind anyone of an extremely strict mom, or is it just me and my mom?
When I was about 5 or 6 years old, anytime I misbehaved or threw a tantrum, especially in public, my mom would give me a cold stare. Her eyes, big, staring daggers into me, and lips pursed, while a light, deceiving smile lingered on her face for the passersby.
She’d start counting down from five. I don't know what happens after zero, because I’ve never dared to test her patience that long.
Similarly, everyone who knows Miranda Priestly is afraid of her. But is it all about power? Well, of course it is.
But not the kind that professional authority gives you. Being a boss means nothing until you can command your flock.
In this article, let’s understand the true origin of Miranda Priestly’s power.
Who Is Miranda Priestly?
The Devil Wears Prada (2006)Source: 20th Century Studios
Meryl Streep's Miranda Priestly is the editor-in-chief of Runway fashion magazine. She has the fashion industry at her fingertips. She is the best at her job and has been for as long as anybody can remember.
She is a tough woman—an educated, charismatic, high-functioning tyrant. She is the reigning queen of fashion and the mother of two twin daughters.
Miranda might be a professional success; however, as I hinted earlier, her emotional dysfunctionality has led her to abuse her power. Priestley doesn’t come from a privileged background (as we learn in the novel), which gives us some clarity into her psychologically abusive nature toward her employees.
Miranda shows how life experiences can turn you into a narcissistic person. She seems to enjoy others’ pain because she has a lot of her own.
Her success always hindered her search for true love. A working mother whose children are growing up without her, Miranda lives under the constant pressure of maintaining what she built for herself from scratch. The details of early life aren’t explicitly covered in the movie; however, she seems to be one of those who don’t choose kindness because they were never offered any when they needed it the most.
Analyzing an Iconic Scene to Understand Miranda Priestly’s Quiet Power
“Florals for Spring! Groundbreaking!”
This scene stands out from the rest because it establishes Miranda’s leadership style.
In the scene, Miranda is in a meeting with her employees to discuss a new collection. She sits at the head of the table with Nigel, her trusted art director and right-hand man.
The cinematography and blocking are simple, which allows Streep’s performance to take center stage. In the scene, Miranda’s power lies in the questions that she asks and the one-word answers she gives to anything that doesn’t sit right with her.
If you notice, she uses a simple reward-and-punishment technique with quiet gravitas to tame the people around her. If you say something that makes sense to her, she always takes a quick minute to compliment you on it, but if you don’t, she makes sure that you are humiliated before she moves on to the next agenda item.
It’s this constant push and pull of compliments and humiliation that becomes almost addictive. You know that there’s something toxic about the whole thing, but those compliments feel like the greatest vindication and achievement.
So, her employees constantly grind without ever stopping to consider the negative impact it has on their psyches. Miranda sells bursts of validation against all the paranoia and insecurity, like a limited-edition Gucci bag. You don’t need all that in your life, but she will make you believe that you do.
What Makes Miranda Priestly Powerful and Scary?
There’s a saying: a quiet person is more lethal than a talkative one. On many occasions, I have found that to be true.
Miranda resorts to silence, pausing to cement her authority. It’s almost as if she isn’t establishing her control over others as their employer, but by establishing herself as someone better than them in every way. Their words don’t matter in front of her. Any interaction with Miranda becomes a mind game. Her winning strategy is “less is more.”
Miranda doesn’t yell; she doesn’t create a scene. She speaks only when she absolutely has to, and her words are sharp as a dagger. She won’t react to you, but she'll hit you right where it hurts most, proving she is extremely observant and studies everyone around her.
Everybody dances to Miranda’s tune because she commands the energy—the softer her voice, the more menacing she is.
You know how I never discovered what happens after my mom finishes her countdown? It’s the same here.
In addition to her pointed comments, Miranda’s knowledge about the job and her world is intimidating. The “cerulean blue” monologue would stump anyone, and she doesn’t even grant you eye contact as she’s dressing you down. I’d sweat even if the A/C were cranked up high!
Priestly embodies terror through her mere presence, and she does it with calm, composure, and restraint. Loud is good, but when people talk about silence being golden, they’re talking about the likes of Miranda Priestly, who commands the world with limited words.
Now, almost a decade later, Priestly is making her way back to the theatres, and we're waiting with held breath.
Which is your favorite Miranda Priestly moment?
