Anne Hathaway, the acclaimed actress known for her roles in “The Devil Wears Prada” and “Les Misérables,” has bravely shared her experience of suffering a miscarriage while acting as a pregnant woman in a play. In a candid interview with Vanity Fair, the 41-year-old star revealed that her first pregnancy in 2015 “didn’t work out,” coinciding with her portrayal of a pregnant character on stage.
During the six-week run of the off-Broadway show “Grounded,” where she played a pilot who becomes pregnant, Hathaway faced the emotional challenge of simulating childbirth every night while dealing with the personal trauma of her miscarriage. Despite the pressure of her performance, she confessed to “pretending everything was fine” during the show, but found solace in confiding in her friends backstage, acknowledging that it was too much to bear alone.
Reflecting on her decision to share her fertility struggles publicly, Hathaway revealed her motivation behind an Instagram post in July 2019, where she announced her second pregnancy. She emphasized the importance of not glossing over the complexities of conception and fertility, stating that it would have felt disingenuous to portray only happiness without acknowledging the nuanced reality faced by many.
The actress’s openness about her miscarriage and fertility journey has sparked conversations about the prevalence of miscarriages and the often silent struggles faced by individuals trying to conceive. Hathaway expressed her surprise at discovering the commonality of miscarriages among her friends and the lack of readily available information on the subject. Her decision to speak out aims to break the stigma surrounding miscarriages and provide support to those who may be silently suffering.
Since her first pregnancy loss, Hathaway and her husband, Adam Shulman, have welcomed two sons into their family. Their eldest, Jonathan, was born in March 2016, followed by the birth of their second son, Jack, in November 2019. Hathaway’s journey through fertility struggles has given her a deeper understanding of the emotional toll it can take and the importance of supporting others facing similar challenges.
In sharing her story, Hathaway hopes to offer comfort and solidarity to those navigating infertility and conception difficulties. Her willingness to address the topic openly has resonated with many, with women frequently approaching her to express gratitude for speaking out and for providing a sense of shared experience and understanding.
As Hathaway continues to pursue her career in Hollywood, her advocacy for greater awareness and acceptance of miscarriages and fertility struggles serves as a reminder of the strength and resilience of individuals facing such challenges. By speaking out, she is helping to create a more compassionate and supportive environment for those affected by pregnancy loss and infertility.
