Imagine being one of the greatest living actors, a three-time Academy Award winner, and the woman who brought the terrifying Miranda Priestly to life. Now, imagine you’re on a boat in the middle of Lake Como, and the DJ starts playing ABBA. This isn't a deleted scene from a movie—it’s the reality of the Meryl Streep Emily Blunt wedding dance that has finally gone viral, proving that even Hollywood royalty can’t escape an awkward "mom dance" moment.
During a 2026 appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, Emily Blunt dropped a story that has been living rent-free in the minds of the 60 lucky guests who attended her 2010 wedding to John Krasinski. While the world is currently buzzing about the Devil Wears Prada 2 sequel, this throwback anecdote gives us a rare look at the real-life friendship between Blunt and Streep—one that involves less "cerulean" belts and more reluctant choreography.
What happened with Meryl Streep at Emily Blunt's wedding?
Meryl Streep attended Emily Blunt and John Krasinski's 2010 wedding at George Clooney's Lake Como estate. During a boat party, the DJ played ABBA's 'Mamma Mia,' prompting the mothers of the bride and groom to dance toward Streep. Though Streep jokingly told Blunt she 'wanted to hurl herself into the lake,' she indulged them and joined the dance.
The 'Ominous' Boat Ride: When Mamma Mia Met Lake Como
The story takes place on day two of a three-day celebration that redefined "wedding goals." Blunt and Krasinski had invited a tight-knit circle of 60 guests for a private Lake Como boat ride. The vibe was supposed to be relaxed, but as any wedding planner will tell you, the DJ is the ultimate wild card.
According to Blunt, the DJ was performing a set that was "half-Italian, half-English," which sounds like the perfect recipe for chaotic energy. The moment the opening chords of ABBA’s Mamma Mia hit the speakers, the atmosphere shifted. Streep, who had immortalized the role of Donna Sheridan just two years prior in the 2008 film, became an immediate target.
“My mom, Joanna Blunt, and John’s mom, Mary Clare Krasinski, started ominously dancing towards Meryl,” Blunt told Kimmel. The use of the word "ominously" is doing a lot of heavy lifting here. We’ve all seen it: the slow-motion approach of two mothers-of-the-bride who have had exactly one-and-a-half glasses of Prosecco and have decided they are the main characters. They weren't just dancing; they were recruiting.
Streep’s internal monologue during this was apparently less "Dancing Queen" and more "SOS." When Blunt later asked her what was going through her head as the two moms closed in, Streep didn't sugarcoat it: “I wanted to hurl myself into the lake.”
The George Clooney Connection: Hosting at Villa Oleandra
While the Meryl Streep Mamma Mia dance story is the highlight, the backdrop of this wedding is just as legendary. The couple tied the knot on July 10, 2010, at Villa Oleandra, the famed 18th-century estate owned by George Clooney.
But here’s the detail most people miss: John Krasinski actually turned Clooney down three times before agreeing to use the house. "Only on the fourth ask did I say yes," Krasinski previously admitted. "Because the first three times I thought, 'There's no way he is serious.'" Eventually, Clooney’s feelings were actually getting hurt, leading the Office star to finally accept the most elite wedding venue on the planet.
The ceremony itself was the epitome of 2010s chic. Blunt walked down the aisle in a custom Marchesa wedding dress—a draped cream chiffon gown with lead crystal and pearl embroidery. On her finger was a 3-carat round diamond and platinum ring designed by Neil Lane. It was a high-fashion event that would have made Miranda Priestly proud, which makes Streep’s "Donna Sheridan" moment on the boat even more of a hilarious contrast.
The 'It’s Complicated' Connection: Why Meryl Was There
Most fans assume Streep was on the guest list solely because of The Devil Wears Prada. While she and Blunt formed a legendary bond on that set, there was a secondary layer to the invitation. In 2009, just a year before the wedding, John Krasinski starred alongside Streep in the Nancy Meyers rom-com It's Complicated.
In that film, Krasinski played the future son-in-law to Streep’s character, meaning he had already spent months "bonding" with her on a set known for its cozy kitchens and high-end baked goods. By the time the Emily Blunt John Krasinski wedding Lake Como rolled around, Streep wasn't just a former coworker; she was a family friend who had worked with both halves of the couple.
This deep familiarity is likely why she felt comfortable enough to tell Blunt she wanted to jump overboard. There is a specific level of friendship required to tell a bride that her mother's dancing made you contemplate a watery exit.
From Miranda Priestly to Donna Sheridan: Breaking Character
There is a fascinating psychological element to this Devil Wears Prada costars wedding reunion. During the filming of the original 2006 movie, Streep famously utilized method acting to maintain the cold, distant persona of Miranda Priestly. Blunt has admitted in several interviews, including a recent one with The Fall Guy press run, that she was "scared" of Streep on set.
“You were in a zone,” Blunt told Streep during a 2024 retrospective. “We could come up and tell you a funny story, but you wouldn’t do your extraordinary laugh.”
Fast forward to the 2010 wedding, and the wall had completely crumbled. The woman who wouldn't crack a smile at a joke in 2006 was now being cornered by Joanna Blunt to perform a musical number on a boat. It marks the definitive end of the "Miranda" era and the beginning of the "Meryl-as-the-cool-aunt" era.
The fact that Streep "indulged" the mothers—and that photographic evidence exists of the trio dancing together—proves that Streep is, at her core, a good sport. Even if she was internally screaming in Swedish pop lyrics.
The Viral Impact and the Devil Wears Prada 2 Hype
Why is this story blowing up now? Timing is everything in Hollywood. With the official announcement of The Devil Wears Prada 2, fans are hungry for any "Prada" lore. Seeing the Only Murders in the Building star (Streep) and the Oppenheimer star (Blunt) share these human moments fuels the hype for their onscreen reunion.
There’s also the lingering question of Mamma Mia 3. Streep has recently teased that she’s open to returning to the franchise, despite her character’s... logistical issues (being dead). She jokingly told Vogue that they might have to call it "Grand-Mamma Mia!" by the time it gets made. The wedding story serves as a reminder that no matter how many Oscars she wins, Streep will always be tied to the joy of Donna Sheridan—whether she likes it or not.
Key Takeaways: The Meryl Streep Wedding Dance
- The Song: The DJ played ABBA's "Mamma Mia" during a boat ride on day two of the wedding festivities.
- The Instigators: Emily Blunt’s mother (Joanna) and John Krasinski’s mother (Mary Clare) "ominously" approached Streep to dance.
- The Reaction: Streep jokingly said she "wanted to hurl herself into the lake" but ultimately joined in.
- The Venue: The wedding took place on July 10, 2010, at George Clooney's Villa Oleandra in Lake Como.
- The Guest List: A private group of 60 guests attended, many of whom were meeting Streep for the first time.
- The Style: Emily Blunt wore a Marchesa gown and a Neil Lane diamond ring.
Looking Ahead: A Prada Reunion
As we look toward the 2026 release of the Devil Wears Prada sequel, the Meryl Streep Emily Blunt wedding dance story reminds us that these icons are more than just their IMDB pages. They are friends who have survived awkward boat rides, Italian DJs, and the persistent "Mamma Mia" fandom together.
While we might never see the photos of Meryl dancing with the moms (Blunt is keeping those in the private vault for now), the mental image is enough to sustain us. In a world of scripted PR moves, there’s something genuinely refreshing about Meryl Streep wanting to jump into a lake rather than do a choreographed dance—and then doing it anyway because she loves her friends. That’s all, indeed.
