Adrian Grenier is proving that sometimes, the best response to being left out is a well-timed joke — and a cold drink. The 49-year-old actor, best known for his role as Vincent Chase in HBO’s “Entourage,” has taken the news of his exclusion from the upcoming “The Devil Wears Prada 2” in stride, turning it into a clever, self-aware moment in a new commercial for Starbucks.
Grenier Addresses Sequel Snub in Starbucks Campaign
In a recently released ad for Starbucks’ Energy Refresher line, Grenier directly addresses the internet buzz surrounding his absence from the highly anticipated sequel to the 2006 fashion-world classic. Looking straight into the camera, he says with a knowing smile, “You might have seen the headlines — I wasn’t asked to be part of a certain sequel.”
Instead of showing bitterness, Grenier leans into the moment with humor and grace. “But I’m good. Really. It’s all good energy,” he adds, raising a vibrant pink Starbucks drink in a toast — not just to the product, but to his character, Nate Cooper, Andy Sachs’ (Anne Hathaway) boyfriend from the original film.
The ad cleverly blends Grenier’s real-life Hollywood moment with Starbucks’ messaging around positivity and refreshment. By acknowledging the snub and then moving past it with a smile, he embodies the very energy the drink promises to deliver.
Revisiting Nate Cooper: Hero, Villain, or Just Misunderstood?
Nate, the Brooklyn-based chef who stood by Andy during her early days at Runway magazine, has long been a polarizing figure in the “Devil Wears Prada” fandom. While some viewers saw him as a grounded, loving partner in a world of glitz and pressure, others criticized him as unsupportive, even petty, especially when he mocked Andy’s fashion evolution and her growing closeness to Miranda Priestly’s world.
One of the most memorable — and debated — scenes features Nate making Andy a grilled cheese sandwich after a rough day, a gesture meant to be comforting but interpreted by some as symbolic of his inability to understand her ambitions. That moment has become iconic, often referenced in fan discussions about the character’s role in Andy’s journey.
In the Starbucks ad, Grenier nods to this legacy with a wink. “He made a mean sandwich, he loved his girlfriend, to a point,” he says, acknowledging both Nate’s charm and his flaws. “He wasn’t perfect,” Grenier continues. “So let’s leave Nate in 2006, and keep this good energy going.”
It’s a lighthearted but telling reflection on how pop culture reevaluates characters over time. Once seen as a stabilizing force, Nate has, for many, become emblematic of the struggle between personal ambition and relationship expectations — especially for women navigating high-pressure careers.
From Disappointment to Good Vibes: Grenier’s Take on the Sequel
While the ad plays it cool, Grenier has admitted that not being invited back for the sequel was a genuine disappointment. In an interview with Page Six last month, he opened up about his feelings, saying, “Of course I would have loved to participate in the second movie.”
He also offered a theory about why Nate might not be returning: backlash. Over the years, fan sentiment toward Nate has shifted, with many online critics branding him the “real villain” of the original film for failing to support Andy’s professional growth. Grenier acknowledged this shift, suggesting it may have influenced the filmmakers’ decision.
“We’re all fans of the movie, whether or not we’re in it,” he said. “Obviously, it was a disappointment that I didn’t get the call to be in the sequel, but I also understand that these things happen.”
Still, he left the door open — with characteristic charm. In the Starbucks spot, he adds with a grin, “I mean, if they call, I’m free.” It’s a line that blends humility, humor, and just a touch of hopeful sarcasm.
The sequel, officially titled “The Devil Wears Prada 2: Runway Returns,” is set to hit theaters on May 1, reuniting Anne Hathaway and Meryl Streep as Andy and Miranda. The film will reportedly follow Andy, now a single mother and editor-in-chief of a major publication, as she navigates a new chapter — one that may no longer have room for a Brooklyn chef with a grudge against haute couture.
Despite his absence from the cast, Grenier’s moment in the spotlight via the Starbucks campaign shows how public figures can reclaim narratives. Rather than letting the snub define him, he’s used it as a platform for levity and connection — and, of course, a little brand promotion.
Why This Moment Resonates Beyond the Screen
Grenier’s response taps into a broader cultural shift: the normalization of discussing rejection, cancellation, and reinvention in public life. By making fun of himself, he disarms the criticism and invites fans to laugh with him, not at him.
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