How the PR-savvy Anne Hathaway schooled Matt Lauer
A low moment for the ‘Today’ host is a public relations victory for the ‘Les Miserables’ actress, who suffered an embarrassing wardrobe malfunction this week.
At the New York premiere of the film “Les Miserables” on Monday, photographers caught actress Anne Hathaway stepping out of a car, sans undergarments. Not a great moment for any starlet.
What happened days later exemplified the shifting media landscape, underscoring an important lesson for PR professionals of all stripes.
The unfortunate wardrobe malfunction led to one of the lowest points in Matt Lauer’s journalism career. In an interview with Hathaway on Thursday that was ostensibly about “Les Miserables,” the “Today” show host opened with the remark: “Seen a lot of you lately.” You just know it’s going downhill from here.
As a PR pro, this is when you hope Hathaway has been appropriately prepped and maybe even rehearsed to tackle the answer to the inevitable next question. And she did not disappoint. Here’s part of the transcript:
Lauer: Let’s just get it out of the way. You had a little wardrobe malfunction the other night. What’s the lesson learned from something like that? Other than that you keep smiling, which you always do?
Become a Ragan Insider member to read this article and all other archived content.
Sign up today
Already a member? Log in here.
Learn more about Ragan Insider.
