Anne Hathaway Draws Musician Inspiration for Mother Mary Role

Anne Hathaway drew inspiration from several prominent musicians to portray a fictional pop icon in her upcoming film, Mother Mary, revealing in recent interviews how their artistry shaped her performance. The A24 psychological drama, directed by David Lowery, follows the character Mother Mary, a traumatized singer reuniting with an estranged friend ahead of a major comeback show. Starring alongside Michaela Coel, the movie debuts in limited theaters on April 17 before a wider release on April 24.

Hathaway, known for her musical theater background including an Oscar-winning role in the 2012 Les Misérables adaptation, described retraining her voice over two years to capture a contemporary pop style. She had long viewed her softer singing as less dynamic compared to powerhouses like Whitney Houston. To bridge that gap, she immersed herself in the work of artists who blended power with subtlety.

Beyoncé's influence proved pivotal. During a question-and-answer session moderated by Variety's Jem Aswad, Hathaway explained listening repeatedly to "American Requiem," the opening track from Beyoncé's 2024 album Cowboy Carter. "Her technique in that song is so mesmerizing and astonishing,"...