Actress Becomes Emotional While Reflecting on Decades of Fan Support
Anne Hathaway delivered one of the most emotional moments of D23 after becoming visibly moved while discussing the support she has received from fans throughout her career.
The 43-year-old actress attended D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event on Sunday, August 16, where she was honoured as part of the 2026 Disney Legends class.
During a press interview at the event, Hathaway was asked about her relationship with audiences who have followed her work for more than two decades.
Her response quickly became emotional.
Hathaway admitted that she still struggles to fully understand the idea of having devoted fans.
“I’m still trying to, like, process the idea of having fans,” she said while fighting back tears.
She then added: “I’m just an actress, you know?”
A clip of the interview was later shared by the fan account @ahathawayfiles and quickly spread across social media.
The emotional reaction highlighted how deeply Hathaway values the connection she has built with audiences since beginning her Hollywood career.
She said she felt overwhelmed by the continued support shown to her films and performances.
Hathaway eventually summed up her feelings with a simple message of gratitude.
“I’m really grateful,” she said before ending with: “Just love you.”
Disney Legends Honour Comes 25 Years After Princess Diaries Breakthrough
The emotional moment came during a major milestone in Hathaway’s career.
Disney officially inducted her into its 2026 Disney Legends class, one of the company’s most prestigious honours.
The recognition came 25 years after Hathaway became internationally known through her role as Mia Thermopolis in The Princess Diaries.
Released in 2001, the film introduced audiences to an awkward American teenager who suddenly discovers that she is heir to the fictional European kingdom of Genovia.
The role became Hathaway’s breakthrough performance and established her as a major young Hollywood star.
Her portrayal of Mia helped make The Princess Diaries a lasting favourite among Disney audiences.
The actress later built a highly successful career across comedy, romance, drama and major studio films.
She went on to appear in productions including The Devil Wears Prada, Les Misérables, The Dark Knight Rises, Interstellar and The Idea of You.
Hathaway also became an Academy Award winner for her performance as Fantine in Les Misérables.
Despite those achievements, her comments at D23 showed that she continues to view fan support with humility.
Her Disney Legends recognition brought her career back to the studio and character that played a central role in her early success.
Hathaway Returning as Mia Thermopolis in The Princess Diaries 3
Hathaway’s relationship with Disney is also entering another chapter.
More than two decades after the original film, the actress is returning as Mia Thermopolis in The Princess Diaries 3.
The highly anticipated sequel is currently in production.
Her return has generated major excitement among longtime fans who grew up watching the first two films.
The original Princess Diaries was followed by The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement in 2004.
The franchise became closely associated with Hathaway’s early career and remains one of her most recognisable roles.
Her Disney Legends induction therefore carried particular significance.
The ceremony celebrated not only her later achievements but also the role that introduced her to millions of viewers.
Hathaway’s emotional interview quickly became one of the most widely discussed moments surrounding the event.
For fans, the actress’s reaction offered a rare glimpse at how personally she views the support that has followed her across different stages of her career.
Twenty-five years after audiences first met Mia Thermopolis, Hathaway made clear that she still does not take that affection for granted.
