For years, fans of The Devil Wears Prada have debated one thing, was Nate really the problem? Now, Adrian Grenier, the man behind the character, is finally leaning into the conversation, and doing it with humor.
A Self-Aware Comeback
In a recent Starbucks commercial, Grenier poked fun at his role as Nate, subtly acknowledging what fans have been saying for years, he wasn’t exactly the perfect boyfriend. The ad also included a self aware jab at the fact that he wasn’t called back for The Devil Wears Prada 2, turning what could have been an awkward omission into a surprisingly funny moment.
The Internet Already Made Its Decision
But this isn’t just about a commercial. It’s about how the narrative around Nate has completely changed over time. When the film first dropped in 2006, fans spent nearly 20 years calling him one of the most insufferable boyfriend struggling to keep up with his girlfriend’s demanding career.
The internet had already made its verdict. So when the sequel was announced reuniting Anne Hathaway, Meryl Streep, Emily Blunt, and Stanley Tucci, Nate’s absence wasn’t really a surprise. Grenier confirmed to Page Six he never even got a call. Director David Frankel admitted he considered a cameo but blamed the production schedule. Whether that’s the full story or not, the result was the same, Nate stayed in 2006 where many fans believe he belongs.
Turning The Snub Into Strategy
Here’s where Grenier did something most people in his position wouldn’t. Instead of staying quiet or playing the victim, he starred in a Starbucks commercial timed perfectly to the sequel’s buzz.
He looked directly into the camera, acknowledged the snub, and delivered the line nobody saw coming, “He wasn’t perfect. So let’s leave Nate in 2006.” That’s not damage control. That’s strategy. Instead of fueling speculation about why he wasn’t included in the sequel, he’s controlling the narrative, and making himself part of the joke in the process.
What This Really Says
Adrian Grenier may have lost the sequel, but he won the moment, and that matters more in 2026 than a cameo ever would have.
We live in a time where public figures often fight back, deflect, or go silent when criticism comes their way. Grenier did none of that. He looked at 20 years of Nate backlash, shrugged it off, and leaned into it with humor. That kind of self-awareness is rare, and people responded to it.
The bigger conversation here isn’t really about The Devil Wears Prada at all. It’s about how you handle being left out of the room. Do you fight for your seat at the table, or do you build your own table and make people laugh while you’re at it? Grenier chose the latter, and honestly, it worked better than any cameo could have.
