The backlash centres on Qin Zhou, a character played by Chinese American actor Helen J Shen, who appears as an assistant to Andrea Sachs. Several people have argued that the name 'Qin Zhou' is phonetically similar to a historically racist term used in the West to mock Chinese people. Hong Kong’s Oriental Daily News described the phrase as a symbolic racist slur historically used to ridicule Chinese immigrant workers in the 19th century. Social media users have also criticised the portrayal as leaning into a familiar 'nerd' stereotype. One user on Reddit said that the name sounds like Zhen Chou, meaning 'really ugly'.
Many have pointed to a contrast between the film’s marketing and its on-screen portrayal, noting that it enlisted one of South Korea’s most commercially influential K-pop stars to build buzz. Vogue Korea released a video featuring Ive’s Jang Won Young with Streep and Hathaway ahead of the film’s release. Calls for a boycott in China have spread ahead of the film’s planned release during the Labour Day holiday period from 1 to 5 May. The Devil Wears Prada 2 is scheduled to open in China on 1 May.
The sequel will see the return of the core original cast, including Meryl Streep, Anne Hathaway, Emily Blunt, and Stanley Tucci. Newcomers include Kenneth Branagh, Lucy Liu and Simone Ashley. The plot is kept top secret, but rumours suggest it takes place amid the decline of the magazine industry, with Miranda and Andy teaming up to stake out new advertisers. A new trailer includes further detail, with Miranda appearing to have been involved in a high-profile scandal. Blunt described working on the sequel as a 'rude awakening' due to the fashion she had to wear. Lady Gaga was spotted on set, suggesting a secret cameo.