Anne Hathaway channels Beyoncé for dark pop role in 'Mother Mary'

Anne Hathaway has revealed that Beyoncé played a surprising behind-the-scenes role in shaping her transformation into a pop star for the upcoming film Mother Mary.

The 43-year-old actress said she immersed herself in Beyoncé’s 2024 track American Requiem, listening to it repeatedly while preparing for her role in the A24 psychological drama-thriller. 

The film follows the intense and emotionally charged relationship between pop singer Mary and fashion designer Sam Anselm, played by Michaela Coel.

Hathaway explained that studying 44-year-old singer’s vocal technique completely shifted how she approached singing. 

Rather than focusing on big, theatrical power, she found herself drawn to something more controlled and intimate. 

She said Halo singer's phrasing and calm precision made her realise there was “so much strength” in a softer delivery, where every word feels deliberate and present.

The Oscar-winning star admitted the process forced her to rethink her entire vocal identity. 

Originally trained in musical theatre, she spent around two years retraining her voice to adapt to a more modern pop sound. 

The Princess Diaries star said she had always doubted herself as a singer, especially compared to icons like Whitney Houston, but Mother Mary pushed her into unfamiliar territory.

She also turned to pop star Charli xcx for guidance, asking about the realities of life as a modern music artist and how pop performers shape their sound and persona in today’s industry.

Director David Lowery also revealed that Taylor Swift’s Reputation concert film was a major visual influence on the project. 

He said the team studied it closely, even breaking down sequences shot by shot to understand how stadium-scale performances are constructed on screen.

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