Anne Hathaway has humorously addressed online speculation regarding her pregnancy after some social media users suggested her baby bump appeared artificial during a recent film premiere. The 43-year-old actress, who announced in June that she is expecting her third child with husband Adam Shulman, posted a video on Instagram showing her preparation for the event, captioning the footage with the phrase: “Fake hair, real bump.”
The controversy began during the Los Angeles premiere of her latest film, The End of Oak Street, held this past Sunday. Hathaway wore a custom Atelier Prabal Gurung crop top, which the designer described as a “sculptural high-low halter top with a cascading train.” She paired the garment with low-rise La Ligne jeans and red Aquazzura stilettos, leaving her midsection partially exposed.
Following the event, the actress faced a wave of skeptical comments online, with some users questioning the authenticity of her pregnancy by asking, “Why does it look fake?” and “Oh come on. That is not real.” Others went further, criticizing her fashion choice as “ridiculous,” “tacky,” or “bizarre.”
However, many fans and commentators rallied to her defense. One supporter noted that critics likely had never seen a pregnant belly on a person with abdominal muscles, while others questioned the obsession with policing women’s bodies. In an op-ed for Vogue, the publication argued that a woman’s pregnancy is not a matter for public debate, suggesting that society should celebrate the physical changes of pregnancy rather than labeling them as “shameful” or “fake.”
Writing for the Independent, Charlotte Cripps characterized the outfit as a bold expression of body positivity and strength, marking a new chapter in the actress’s life. Similarly, Rebecca Cope of The Telegraph observed that the look was another instance of a celebrity choosing to “let it all hang out” despite the inevitable public scrutiny.
Beyond the discourse surrounding her appearance, the premiere also sparked interest in her “coconut water” manicure. Hathaway has maintained a busy schedule throughout the summer, having previously promoted her film The Odyssey at premieres in London on July 6 and New York on July 14.
This is not the first time the actress has been in the headlines regarding her personal life or professional choices. In March 2024, she spoke about experiencing a miscarriage while portraying a pregnant character, and in 2020, she issued an apology regarding her portrayal of a limb difference in the film The Witches.
Hathaway, who stars alongside Ewan McGregor in The End of Oak Street, seemed unfazed by the online chatter. In her social media post, she invited followers to “Enjoy The @endofoakstreet Block Party chaos with me as my outfit literally melts in the heat!!”
The incident highlights the ongoing trend of celebrities facing intense judgment for their red carpet attire, particularly during pregnancy. Despite the criticism, the actress continues to navigate her public appearances with a focus on her work and her personal milestones.
An op ed in Vogue stated, external: “What the rest of us need to realise is that a woman’s baby bump is none of our business (can’t believe this still needs saying).
“What if, instead, we celebrated the fact that a woman’s body is doing something amazing, rather than telling her that she looks shameful, fake, “over the top” or “awful and a bit weird”?
The star has been in the spotlight throughout the summer, promoting The Odyssey at its premiere in London on 6 July (below).
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