A former executive assistant says she has watched The Devil Wears Prada film more than 50 times – after relating to the main character and sharing similar experiences with her own ‘Miranda Priestly’ ahead of the sequel’s release.
Skevi Constantinou spent more than a decade working in the administrative and assistance profession, working her way up to an executive assistant in corporate finance.
After watching the 2006 hit film, starring Meryl Streep and Anne Hathaway, she was stunned by how much she related to the depiction of her role – and says she shared several identical moments to Hathaway’s Andy.
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“I related to so much in the film – from demanding schedules, last minute and ‘how do I make this happen’ requests, and everything being deemed urgent,” the 39-year-old, from West Midlands, told What’s The Jam.
“I would run around Birmingham city like Anne Hathaway, coffees in one hand, dry cleaning on my arm, phone to my ear, trying to get in taxis and back to the office.
“It was an emotional rollercoaster.
“My experience was mixed – I’ve worked for challenging executives and various personalities, and had to adapt to their working style and requests.”
Unsurprisingly, she was drawn to the flick and found a kindred spirit in the main character.
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Skevi, who trained as a chef before moving into the personal assistance world, said: “I absolutely loved the film when it came out.
“I knew it was exaggerated in areas and toned down in others for entertainment purposes but I did relate to it a lot in terms of tasks, the ever-changing schedule, trying to support them with things.
“I’ve watched the film countless times since it came out – more than 50 times, and quote lines in my daily life.”
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And she’s had her fair share of run-ins with Miranda Priestley-esque people in real life, too.
Skevi said: “Throughout my career, I’ve faced Miranda scenarios firsthand – executives sending me on endless errands, throwing tantrums over minor details like smoked salmon, or watching over my shoulder to test my resilience.
“If I did something good, I was rarely acknowledged but if I did something wrong, I would be in trouble – like the scene where Andy goes to see Nigel in his office.
“I once had an Executive ask me where the paper was that he had in his hand yesterday, just like Miranda asks Andy.
“I also had an executive who would come in daily and dump their coat and bags on my desk and demand hot Starbucks, just like Miranda did in the film.
“When I was being tested, I found that I would be proactive and deliver results they didn’t expect – we all work differently and we help people find ways to excel.
“The adrenaline and organisation are what I enjoyed.
“I felt different to other assistants, like Andy did, as I had no experience as I had a different career training as a chef, so I had to learn on the job.”
Skevi has launched her own community for fellow assistants, called The PA Way, to help “people like Andy” and herself – as well as taking them on retreats to experience the high life, like their clients.
She said: “I take assistants on international retreats, luxurious hotel stays, private dinners and more.
“I bring the community element together but equally I am equipping assistants with direction venue inspiration and connections for their little black book so that they are resourceful.
“Our events are popular as assistants are the people who always book for their executive so my goals are getting assistants there instead so they can experience as they are the person who books.
“I’ve hosted private screenings where assistants cheer and laugh and shout ‘That’s happened to me!’.
“It underscored how universal our experiences are.
“It wasn’t just a movie to me – it was a guidebook.
“While exaggerated for entertainment, it resonates deeply with the experience of assistants worldwide.
“I’m excited for the sequel and hopeful it continues to celebrate this incredible profession – spotlighting not only the entertainment and fashion, but the irreplaceable value that assistants bring to organizations everywhere.
“I’m immensely proud to be part of the global assistant community and to stand alongside colleagues whose strategic, high-impact work drives real success.”
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