The internet has a weird fixation with hating something that’s popular or too mainstream, especially when it comes to up-and-coming actors. This bizarre phenomenon nearly derailed the career of Anne Hathaway, who, in the early 2010s, found herself one of the most despised celebrities for seemingly no reason beyond being perceived as annoying. The backlash against Hathaway intensified following her Oscar win, a time when one might expect such achievements to elevate a star’s status. Instead, after winning the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress for her role in Les Misérables, Hathaway faced a torrent of disdain from a sizable portion of the online community.
Having started her career as a Disney princess in the 2000s, Hathaway sought to distance herself from that typecast by embracing more daring, artistic projects. However, her genuine Oscar acceptance speech, particularly the three words, “It Came True,” unfortunately fueled the burgeoning trend of “Hathahate.” Despite some recent re-evaluations of her speech—where many have come to regard her as a “precious sweetheart”—the immediate aftermath was harsh. Media outlets and social media users alike fiercely criticized her, which pushed Hathaway into a difficult position where she felt the impact on her professional life. She stated that this negative perception cost her roles, as many directors and producers were “concerned about how toxic my identity had become online.”
Thankfully, a shift occurred in Hathaway’s career when acclaimed director Christopher Nolan chose to cast her in blockbuster films like The Dark Knight Rises and Interstellar. Reflecting on her experience with Nolan, she remarked, “I had an angel in Christopher Nolan, who did not care about that and gave me one of the most beautiful roles I’ve had.” This unexpected support, as Hathaway noted, significantly helped her career maintain momentum during an otherwise tumultuous time.
As Hathaway prepares to collaborate with Nolan once more on an adaptation of The Odyssey, it seems the tides have finally turned in her favor. The trend of online hatred directed at her during the 2010s is increasingly viewed as absurd, revealing the toxic dynamics that can develop within internet culture. With Interstellar now available for streaming on Max, audiences have the chance to appreciate Hathaway’s talents anew and reflect upon the unjust backlash that sought to tarnish her legacy.