Anne Hathaway is preparing for her role in the upcoming film Mother Mary, which explores the relationship between a fictional pop musician described as a blend of Lady Gaga and Taylor Swift, and a renowned fashion designer. Hathaway has revealed that portraying this character required more than traditional acting, as she needed to fully embody a new artistic identity crafted by director David Lowery. This process forced her to reconsider how she approached performance and voice.
Accepting Vulnerability While Embracing a Beginner’s Role
To convincingly play the pop star character, Hathaway had to adopt the mindset of a novice, especially when engaging with complex choreography and performing songs written by artists Charli XCX and Jack Antonoff. She expressed the difficulty of embracing imperfection, stating,
“I had to submit to being a beginner. The humility of that—showing up every day knowing you’re going to suck. And it has to be okay. You’re not ‘bad.’ You’re just a beginner. Getting to that mindset—I had to shed some things that were hard to shed. It was welcome. But it was hard, the way transformational experiences can be hard.” —Anne Hathaway
This acceptance of vulnerability was part of the transformation she experienced throughout filming.
Discovering a New Vocal Range While Recording Songs
Hathaway uncovered unexpected aspects of her own voice during the project. Raised as a soprano like her mother, she found she naturally prefers a lower vocal range when singing for the film. Playing notes on a keyboard helped her realize,
“My whole life, I’ve been up here. Soprano. My mom’s a soprano—a beautiful singer. And I can touch those notes, but…it turns out, I’m down here. That’s where I like to live.” —Anne Hathaway
This discovery marked a significant shift in how Hathaway connects with music, highlighting a new artistic dimension.
Reflecting on Childhood Music Lessons and Instrument Choices
Reflecting on her early experience with music, Hathaway recounted wanting to play the trumpet as a child but being told by her mother to play the flute instead because of her braces. She shared the frustration she felt, saying,
“And I said, Why? And she said because of my braces. She said, You can play flute. And I told her, But I don’t like the flute….It was awful. And I was bad. And at the end of the year I went to my teacher and explained my predicament and asked, Is it too late to switch if I can convince my mom? And he said, Well, there’s summer school. And so I go home and I lay out this whole plan to my mom, and finally she realized, I really did mean it, I just wanted to play trumpet—am I shouting?” —Anne Hathaway
This story illustrates Hathaway’s early determination to express herself authentically through music, a theme that continues in her work on Mother Mary.
Implications of Hathaway’s Vocal Journey for ‘Mother Mary’
Anne Hathaway’s experiences during the making of Mother Mary reflect the intense and transformative nature of embodying a new artistic voice. By confronting challenges such as adopting beginner status, discovering a new vocal identity, and revisiting formative musical experiences, Hathaway has deepened her connection to the role. This growth suggests the film will offer a nuanced portrayal of artistic evolution and personal struggle. As Hathaway continues filming, audiences can anticipate a compelling performance shaped by these profound discoveries.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. What is Anne Hathaway’s syndrome?
A. She annoyed me, so I questioned the reason for my annoyance. Eventually, I wrote about Anne Hathaway Syndrome, which means doing everything correctly but still facing disapproval from others. The more I considered it, the clearer it got: Anne Hathaway has always shown the genuine enthusiasm common to theater kids, especially at the height of her popularity.
Q. What is Anne Hathaway’s religion?
A. Hathaway grew up in a Roman Catholic family with strong values. As a child, she wanted to be a nun, but acting was always important to her.
Q. What is Anne Hathaway’s addiction?
A. In a recent interview, Hathaway shared that her choice to quit drinking was mainly due to her family, especially her young son. She realized that being a mother requires energy and mental sharpness, which alcohol interfered with. After drinking, she noticed that she often felt tired, unfocused, and not fully attentive.
Q. Is Anne Hathaway Arabic?
A. Anne Hathaway has a background that is mainly Irish, with some English, German, and French roots. Her first significant acting role was in a TV show that didn’t last long.
