Carson Kressley Says He Lost “Devil Wears Prada” Role to Stanley Tucci: 'Thanks for Ruining My Career!'
Carson Kressley Says He Lost “Devil Wears Prada” Role to Stanley Tucci: 'Thanks for Ruining My Career!'
Rachel McRadyWed, February 25, 2026 at 8:20 PM UTC
0
Carson Kressley and Stanley TucciCredit: Alekandra London/Getty; James Devaney/GC Images -
Carson Kressley said he was a finalist for the role of Nigel in 2006's The Devil Wears Prada
He said he lost the role to Stanley Tucci due to his lack of film experience at the time
Kressley joked about collaborating with Tucci in the future, suggesting a food-filled trip to Italy
Carson Kressley wants you to gird your loins.
The Queer Eye for the Straight Guy alum, 56, said he was once in the running to play the role of Miranda Priestley’s second-in-command Nigel in the 2006 film The Devil Wears Prada. Miranda was famously played by Meryl Streep and Nigel went to Stanley Tucci.
Kressley recalled the casting process on Wednesday, Feb. 25, when he appeared on Today with Jenna & Sheinelle.
“Picture it: It was 2003, Queer Eye for the Straight Guy was very, very hot and Devil Wears Prada was casting at that time,” Kressley said. “I went in. I must have read for it, and, allegedly, according to the casting people, I made it all the way up the totem pole and there were two people up for the role. It was me and that Stanley Tucci fellow!”
Kressley said while the casting team was “really, really nice,” they ultimately told him that his lack of film experience made him a no-go for the role.
“[They] said, ‘Oh God, you’re great, we love you, but we can’t have somebody who’s never been in a movie in the scene with Meryl Streep. That might be too big of a gamble.’ So I didn’t get it,” Kressley explained, jokingly adding, “Damn you, Stanley Tucci!”
Anne Hathaway and Stanley Tucci in 'The Devil Wears Prada' (2006).Credit: Barry Wetcher/20th Century Fox/Kobal/Shutterstock
When co-host Jenna Bush Hager noted that Tucci, 65, would be on the show the following day and asked whether Kressley had a message for the Oscar-nominated actor, he replied, “Thanks for ruining my career!”
Advertisement
He then added, “No, he is amazing, and he was so great in it. I love all his cooking shows, going to Italy. In my research about Stanley Tucci, which I was making my voodoo doll — I mean, when I was just researching — I found out we have the same birthday, we’re both Nov. 11. So there will be a time when I do something with Stanley.”
Anne Hathaway and Stanley Tucci filming 'The Devil Wears Prada 2' on Aug. 20, 2025.Credit: TheStewartofNY/GC Images
The reality star pitched, “We should do a trip to Italy and eat food. I’m going to put that out there, Stanley. I’m going to ride around in your sidecar and we could careen through the streets of Italy, and we could wear cute outfits.”
Carson Kressley, Thom Filicia, Kyan Douglas, Ted Allen and Jai Rodriguez from 'Queer Eye to the Straight Guy' in 2003.Credit: KMazur/WireImage
— sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
Kressley is best known for his part on the original Queer Eye for the Straight Guy from 2003 until 2007, focusing on fashion. He is now a producer for RuPaul’s Drag Race.
In the acting world, he had a role in the 2005 Hilary Duff film, The Perfect Man, as well as several holiday films, including 2025’s Christmas in the Ballroom.
Tucci is reprising his role as Nigel in The Devil Wears Prada 2, in theaters May 1.
on People
Source: “AOL Entertainment”
