The Devil Wears Prada names scene: who remembers the guests?
Who supplies the names at Miranda's benefit, what Emily forgets and what the script shows about preparing a host for introductions.
By Namefinity editorial team · Read about our guides
In the original 2006 film The Devil Wears Prada, Miranda Priestly's assistants help with guest names at a benefit. Their work helps her greet each guest by name.
Who remembers the names in The Devil Wears Prada? Emily Charlton and Andy Sachs supply Miranda with guests' names and roles. When Emily blanks as a couple approaches, Andy quietly supplies the ambassador's name and his wife's name. Miranda can then greet them.
What happens before the benefit
The shooting script by Aline Brosh McKenna shows Andy receiving guest headshot books after Miranda tells her to attend. Emily has had weeks to study, while Andy has that evening to prepare. When Emily blanks, Andy supplies the names and Miranda greets the couple. Her team has done the work in advance. The scene does not show Miranda recalling the whole list on her own.
This account follows the script on PDF pages 83 and 87–88. The script is a written version of the scene. It may differ from the final film.
A useful takeaway for a real host
If you are hosting an event, a guest's role can help as much as their name. Use it to introduce two people with a shared task or interest. They then have a subject to talk about.
A fictional organiser's note might read:
Noor Patel, volunteer coordinator. Ask about the next welcome session.
That supports a natural introduction:
“Noor, this is Ellis, who is helping with the welcome desk. You were both asking about the next session.”
This note helps with a specific greeting. You do not need a full life story for each guest. Check the names and roles you expect to use, and agree who can help if a detail is missing. You can check with that helper quietly before bringing two people together.
If you have a large guest list to study, the photo-directory guide explains how to prepare one. That is a different task from making a few introductions.
If the name goes at the event
You can ask the person directly:
“It's good to see you again. Could you remind me of your name?”
Thank them, then continue. The forgotten-name guide has words for asking someone you have met several times. It also covers a name lost halfway through an introduction. You can pause and ask while people wait.
This is an independent discussion of the 2006 film. Namefinity is not affiliated with the film or its creators.