Anne Hathaway is facing intense public scrutiny and body-shaming on social media after debuting her baby bump on the red carpet at the Warner Bros. Studios in Los Angeles on August 9, 2026, according to reports from Secolo d’Italia. The 43-year-old actress, who is expecting her third child with husband Adam Shulman, arrived at the premiere of La fine di Oak Street wearing a custom Atelier Prabal Gurung outfit consisting of a light blue asymmetric crop top, low-rise wide-leg La Ligne jeans, and red Aquazzura pumps that put her pregnancy front and center.
Social Media Backlash and Hathaway’s Ironic Reply
The bold fashion choice immediately sparked a wave of critical commentary, bizarre internet theories, and direct attacks across social media platforms, according to Secolo d’Italia. While some supporters praised the Oscar winner’s confidence, detractors labeled the outfit “ridiculous” or “pacchiano” (garish). Soon, the discourse escalated from styling critiques to outright denial of the pregnancy itself, with online commenters questioning authenticity and asking why the visible bump “seemed fake.” Hathaway shut down the speculation by posting a behind-the-scenes Instagram video documenting her preparation for the Los Angeles premiere, accompanied by the deadpan caption: “Capelli finti, pancia vera” (Fake hair, real belly), as reported by Secolo d’Italia.
Medical Professionals Defend Public Pregnancies
The online controversy prompted a public response from medical experts regarding society’s persistent stigma surrounding visible maternal bodies. Vito Trojano, past president of the Società italiana di ginecologia e ostetricia (SIGO) and head of SIGO Research and Communication, told Adnkronos Salute that the backlash stems from outdated cultural attitudes. “Many people consider, wrongly, pregnancy as a disease or an anomalous condition for the organism,” Trojano stated, as cited by Secolo d’Italia. He added that Hathaway “did well to show her bump” on the red carpet, noting that society still harbors pockets of resistance that view pregnancy as a condition that must be hidden away rather than celebrated openly.
A Broader Shift on the Red Carpet
Hathaway’s red-carpet appearance aligns with an ongoing evolution in celebrity maternity fashion pioneered by public figures like Rihanna, Sienna Miller, and Adriana Lima, who have systematically rejected traditional, concealing maternity wear in favor of form-fitting designs. This latest episode follows a broader career resurgence for the actress, who has five films slated for release—including Il diavolo veste Prada 2, Mother Mary, Odissea, La fine di Oak Street, and Verity—marking a definitive turning point away from the toxic online vitriol dubbed “Hathahate” that plagued her career in the early 2010s, according to Italian media coverage.
Did you know? Anne Hathaway previously revealed to Vanity Fair that the intense internet backlash she faced a decade ago directly impacted her casting opportunities, as filmmakers grew hesitant to hire her due to toxic online sentiment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was Anne Hathaway criticized on social media?
Social media users criticized Anne Hathaway’s crop-top maternity outfit at the Los Angeles premiere of La fine di Oak Street, with some users even questioning whether her third pregnancy was real.
How did Anne Hathaway respond to the pregnancy rumors?
According to Secolo d’Italia, Hathaway posted a video on Instagram documenting her event preparation with the sarcastic caption, “Capelli finti, pancia vera” (Fake hair, real belly).
What did medical experts say about the incident?
Vito Trojano, past president of the Italian Society of Gynaecology and Obstetrics (SIGO), defended the actress, stating that critics often view pregnancy incorrectly as a condition that should be hidden from public view.
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