The Real-Life Emily Behind "The Devil Wears Prada" Finally Speaks Out

In a recent podcast episode, newly appointed Vogue editor-in-chief Chloe Malle sits down with stylist Leslie Fremar, who, as it turns out, is the real-life inspiration for Emily Charlton in The Devil Wears Prada.

For years, speculation has surrounded which of Anna Wintour’s former assistants informed the characters in the film. In the interview, Leslie settles the debate once and for all. “I am Emily,” she stated point-blank.

“I definitely told her a million girls would kill for the job,”—a line that Emily Charlton delivers to Andy in both the book and its film adaptation. “That was actually my line because I actually really believed that and I knew that she didn’t necessarily want to be there.”

For the first time, Leslie—now an established celebrity stylist—opens up about her experience working under Anna Wintour in the late ’90s. During the podcast, she recounts being called into Anna’s office and asked about Lauren Weisberger, the author of The Devil Wears Prada, who had briefly served as Anna’s junior assistant for eight months.

“Well, she wrote a book about us, and you’re worse than me,” Leslie shares, recounting what Anna had said to her during that exchange.

At the time, Leslie had read an early manuscript ahead of publication. “There wasn’t this lightness to it. It felt quite dark, I remember,” she expressed candidly. “And I found that quite hurtful,” she said of the original draft.

She notes that the final version carried a noticeably lighter tone, which she attributes to revisions made by the editor.

Additionally, Leslie was responsible for hiring Lauren in the first place, just as Emily was in charge of screening applicants for Miranda Priestly’s assistant.

“To be honest, Lauren didn’t really socialize with anyone else, so I think her experience at Vogue was really with me and with Anna,” she said. Much like Andy Sachs in both the novel and its screen adaptation, Lauren had just graduated from college when she landed the role, leaving Leslie to guide her through the demands of the job.

“We had a nice conversation when I interviewed her, and she is very smart,” Leslie says of Lauren. “I just felt like she would be able to get it quickly."

Leslie also confirms that Lauren—widely believed to be the inspiration behind Andy—was vocal about her ambitions to become a writer, particularly at The New Yorker. “I recall her taking a writing test, and you know, things didn’t necessarily go her way.”

In the decades since, the two have not reconnected. When asked about a possible reunion, Leslie frankly expressed her thoughts. “I don’t hold a grudge towards her,” she clarifies. “It’s just, there’s nothing to be said.”