Anne Hathaway revealed studying Beyoncé was the secret to finding her inner pop star for her next film Mother Mary.
During a Q&A session at a soundtrack listening event in New York on Tuesday, the Oscar winner explained that listening to the song American Requiem loop finally allowed her to “crack” the role of a world-famous fictional singer.
Hathaway admitted that although she grew up surrounded by musical theater influences, the transition to a contemporary pop style was like learning a whole new language, and it took her almost two years to feel comfortable with the different vocal techniques.
In the film, which opens this Friday, Hathaway plays the title character, a traumatized artist inspired by icons like Madonna and Lady Gaga.
Despite her experience as a singer in films like Les Miserablesshe told the audience that she never really considered herself a “real” singer because she couldn’t perform the vocal performances of legends like Whitney Houston.
She confessed that for a long time, she found pop music’s specific phrasing and sense of “cool” quite confusing, jokingly noting that while musical theater is wonderful, it’s not really known for its “swag.”
Ultimately, it was Beyoncé’s expertise on her recent work that provided the breakthrough Hathaway needed.
The actress spoke with genuine admiration of the musicality and calm found in American Requiemnoting how she studied the superstar’s current phrasing and vocal style to understand how to distance herself from her own theatrical experience.
She shared that Beyoncé’s ability to be a powerful singer while maintaining a sense of calm helped her realize that her own “soft, calm voice” could actually work for a contemporary pop role.
The film’s release marks a bold departure for Hathaway, who spent years studying other performers to ensure her performance didn’t come across as a caricature.
By focusing on the history and technique of modern legends, she found a way to ground her fictional character in reality.
As fans prepare to see her take the stage this weekend, it’s clear that Queen Bey’s influence was the essential ingredient in helping Hathaway find the confidence to step into the spotlight as a true pop icon.
