Actress Anne Hathaway, 43, took a leading role in organizing a group photo at the New York premiere of her film Verity on Tuesday, directing photographers and co-stars Dakota Johnson and Josh Hartnett on posing positions. The moment was captured in videos that circulated widely on social media.
Hathaway’s direction included counting aloud and instructing the group on movement, with Johnson appearing to respond with impatience before joking about leaving the shoot. The event marked the public debut of Hathaway, who is pregnant, wearing a figure-hugging black mermaid gown designed by Prabal Gurung.
Hathaway’s actions drew mixed reactions online, with some praising her efficiency and others highlighting Johnson’s visible reaction. The premiere featured the cast of Verity, an R-rated thriller based on Colleen Hoover’s novel, adapted for the screen by Nick Antosca and directed by Michael Showalter.
Hathaway’s prior viral moment with photographers resurfaced in coverage, including a 2022 incident in Italy where she instructed attendees to remain calm. The actress has previously discussed the challenges of post-pandemic public interactions, noting heightened sensitivities during that period.
The film follows Lowen Ashleigh (Johnson), a struggling writer hired to complete the remaining books of a best-selling author, Verity Crawford (Hathaway), after a mysterious accident leaves her debilitated. Josh Hartnett portrays Verity’s husband, Jeremy Crawford. The cast has previously discussed their on-set chemistry, including Johnson’s playful remark about kissing Hathaway repeatedly.