Three days ago. People magazine posted a clip from an interview with actor Anne Hathaway that quickly went viral; In the clip, Hathaway—known for her role in ‘The Devil Wears Prada’—casually used the Arabic phrase ‘inshallah’ while discussing her feelings about aging. The moment has since drawn widespread attention, particularly among Muslim and Arab audiences.

What Does ‘Inshallah’ Mean?

According to The Conversation, ‘inshallah’ (also written as ‘insha’Allah’) means ‘if God wills’ or ‘God willing’. The term originates from the Quran, specifically Chapter 18, verses 23-24, which advise against making future commitments without including ‘inshallah’. While the phrase is commonly used by Muslims, it is also adopted by many Arab Christians and others living in Muslim-majority countries.

The phrase is not always taken literally. Some Westerners living in Muslim countries have expressed frustration at its use as a euphemism for ‘no’ when someone wants to avoid a direct refusal. Hathaway’s use of the term in an interview has been seen as a respectful and culturally aware gesture, even though she is not Muslim.

Acting vs. Pop Stardom

In a separate interview with the New York Times, Hathaway reflected on her role in the film ‘Mother Mary’, where she plays an exhausted pop star. She admitted to realizing, to her surprise, that she is not a popstar. ‘To my shock and dismay, I realized I had no idea how to sing into a microphone,’ she said. Hathaway explained that pop music is about ‘effortless power’, whereas she is someone who thrives on ‘effort’.

She described acting as a way to share parts of her soul through a private, filtered identity. ‘As an actor, I love being able to share what I’ve been through, the hidden parts of my soul,but through a filter, through an avatar I can identify with in private,’ she said. The film is set to premiere in German theaters on May 21, with Hathaway also appearing in ‘The Devil Wears Prada 2’ starting April 30.

Passion for Football

In a BBC interview promoting ‘The Devil Wears Prada 2’, Hathaway revealed her deep love for the English football club Arsenal. She credited Thierry Henry and the ‘Invincibles’ era of Arsenal for sparking her passion. ‘There was that team called the Invincibles, and maybe the best player of all time, Thierry Henry, was playing at that time,’ she told Meryl Streep.

Hathaway described how her father became a fan after watching a match narrated by James McAvoy. ‘Once someone in your family declares a team, the whole family follows,’ she said. She also recited Arsenal’s slogan: ‘North London Forever. Whatever the weather.’ This passion for Arsenal has been evident in her social media posts, where she has frequently worn the team’s jersey.

On the same tour, Hathaway and Streep were interviewed by South Korean singer Jang Wonyoung, who spoke in fluent English. Hathaway praised her English skills and mentioned that the cast has not yet had the chance to learn Korean. Jang commented on the iconic walk-to-work scene in the original film, where the outfits change with each cut, and said it inspired her to dress differently every day.