The Positive Response to ‘The Devil Wears Prada 2’ for Choosing a Human Artist for AI-Generated Memes
Art created by humans? Groundbreaking.
As The Devil Wears Prada 2 premieres this weekend, the film is garnering attention for an AI-style meme featuring Meryl Streep’s iconic character, Miranda Priestly. Surprisingly, the meme was created by artist Alexis Franklin, not by artificial intelligence.
On the movie’s release day, Franklin showcased her artwork on social media, depicting Miranda as a fast-food worker, captioned “Would you like some lies with that?” On Instagram, she noted, “I got to paint this at the request of [director] David Frankel for The Devil Wears Prada 2 (it shows up in the movie). Absolutely no disrespect to Queen Meryl, but this is something I would’ve painted in my free time, so when they asked me to do this it was nothing but fun.”
Amid growing discussions about generative AI in the entertainment sector, the decision to hire a human artist has sparked enthusiasm on social media. A fan succinctly stated, “The bar is truly in hell.”
Commenters expressed their relief and excitement over the human element in the artwork. One follower stated, “So refreshing it not being AI,” while another reacted on X, stating, “OMG this one was actually made by an artist??? And it was made to look AI?”
In further reactions, one user posted, “They really said and FUUUCKKKK AI!!!! Everybody CHEERED.” Another tweet highlighted the intent behind the artwork: “Currently obsessed with the fake AI artwork they used to criticize AI on The Devil Wears Prada… This fucking movie is 10s and 10s EVERYWHERE.”
They really said and FUUUCKKKK AI !!!! everybody CHEERED https://t.co/sNgh64nUkQ
— cindy (@loovedrvg) May 2, 2026
Currently obsessed with the fake ai artwork they used to criticize Ai on The Devil wears Prada like… THEY COMMISSIONED AN ARTIST TO ILLUSTRATE AN AI LOOKING PHOTO…. This fucking movie is 10s and 10s EVERYWHERE. pic.twitter.com/bxnm1lC6pK
— Pop ate my heart (@POPATEEMYHEART2) May 2, 2026
“Companies should get flowers when they hire an artist”
the bar is truly in hell
— ★ RSTLNE ★ (Yo No Soy Como Tu) (@fleshycurse) May 2, 2026
On Saturday, Franklin expressed her gratitude online, stating she was “flooded with comments of relief that this gag in The Devil Wears Prada 2 was created by an actual human (me).” She emphasized the importance of recognizing companies that support artists by saying, “These companies should get their flowers when they hire an artist.”
Now screening in theaters, The Devil Wears Prada 2 marks the return of Meryl Streep as Miranda Priestly, alongside Anne Hathaway’s Andi Sachs, Emily Blunt as Emily Charlton, and Stanley Tucci as Nigel Kipling. The familiar characters navigate a tumultuous landscape within declining print media.
Additionally, Tracie Thoms and Tibor Feldman reprise their roles from the original 2006 film, joined by a diverse cast including Kenneth Branagh, Simone Ashley, Lucy Liu, Justin Theroux, B.J. Novak, Pauline Chalamet, Rachel Bloom, Patrick Brammall, Conrad Ricamora, and Lady Gaga.
