Anne Hathaway, one of Hollywood’s most bankable stars, has disclosed that her physician advised against her participation in a popular online interview series due to concerns about her current pregnancy.
The Academy Award-winning actress revealed during an appearance on the “Talk of the Townsends” podcast Monday that medical professionals cautioned her against appearing on “Hot Ones,” a YouTube interview program that has gained considerable popularity since its 2015 debut. The show’s format challenges celebrity guests to answer questions while consuming chicken wings coated in progressively hotter sauces.
“We did the first three wings for real, and then I switched to dummy wings,” Hathaway explained during the podcast interview. “And then I thought that I was going to be able to do the ‘Hot Ones’ challenge to do press for this film because it just made sense. But then I got pregnant, and my doctor said I couldn’t do it because I might go into early labor.”
The comments came as Hathaway promotes “Verity,” the screen adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s novel. This marks her fifth press tour of the year, a testament to her remarkably productive period in the film industry. Among her 2024 releases are “The Devil Wears Prada 2” and “The Odyssey,” both of which have performed strongly at the box office.
The medical advice Hathaway received reflects legitimate concerns within obstetric medicine about the consumption of extremely spicy foods during pregnancy. While moderate spice typically poses no risk to expectant mothers, the extreme heat levels featured on “Hot Ones” could potentially trigger discomfort or physical stress that physicians might deem inadvisable, particularly for patients with specific risk factors.
“Hot Ones,” created by Sean Evans, has established itself as a cultural phenomenon over the past decade. The series has featured interviews with numerous high-profile celebrities, including Jennifer Lawrence, Lorde, and Keke Palmer. The show’s popularity has extended beyond digital platforms, earning recognition through two separate parodies on “Saturday Night Live.”
Despite the current prohibition, Hathaway expressed interest in eventually completing what fans of the show call “the gauntlet.” “I still haven’t done the gauntlet yet,” she noted. “I’m not sure when that’s going to happen. Maybe next year.”
The actress is married to Adam Shulman, who works as an actor, producer, and jewelry designer. The couple already has two young sons, and this pregnancy will bring their third child into the family.
Hathaway’s disclosure offers a glimpse into the often overlooked practical considerations that affect pregnant women in demanding professions, including the entertainment industry. While the actress continues her promotional duties for multiple major film releases, she has been forced to adjust her approach to accommodate medical guidance designed to ensure a healthy pregnancy outcome.
The incident also highlights how modern celebrity press tours have evolved to include digital platforms alongside traditional media appearances, with shows like “Hot Ones” becoming must-stop venues for actors promoting their latest projects.
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