Anne Hathaway Channeled Beyoncé's Vocals for 'Mother Mary' Role

The actress listened to one Beyoncé song 'over and over' to prepare her pop star character.

Apr. 18, 2026 at 12:19pm

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An abstract close-up photograph of shimmering sequins and shattered glass, capturing the glamorous aesthetic that influenced Hathaway's Beyoncé-inspired vocal performance.The glitzy, high-fashion textures that inspired Anne Hathaway's pop star vocals in 'Mother Mary'.Los Angeles Today

When Anne Hathaway was preparing for her role as a pop star in the thriller film 'Mother Mary', she turned to Beyoncé's vocals for inspiration. Hathaway listened to Beyoncé's song 'American Requiem' repeatedly to study her technique, phrasing, and musicianship in order to develop a more pop-oriented vocal style for her character, which was a departure from her musical theater background.

Why it matters

Hathaway's decision to channel Beyoncé's vocals highlights the importance of vocal versatility for actors portraying musicians and pop stars on screen. By studying the work of an acclaimed vocalist like Beyoncé, Hathaway was able to transform her own singing style to better embody the pop diva persona required for her 'Mother Mary' role.

The details

Hathaway admitted that learning the pop phrasing and vocal style was a 'big deal' and took her about two years to perfect. She felt her natural musical theater-influenced vocals wouldn't be a good fit, so she focused on replicating Beyoncé's 'still, present' vocal quality and technique from the song 'American Requiem.' Hathaway wanted to move away from the 'swag' associated with musical theater singing to capture a more contemporary pop sound for her character.

  • Hathaway listened to Beyoncé's 'American Requiem' song repeatedly while preparing for the 'Mother Mary' role.
  • The film 'Mother Mary' is set to be released in theaters on April 17, 2026.

The players

Anne Hathaway

An Academy Award-winning actress who is portraying a pop star in the upcoming thriller film 'Mother Mary'.

Beyoncé

A highly acclaimed singer whose vocal technique and musicianship inspired Hathaway's performance in 'Mother Mary'.

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What they’re saying

“I listened to 'American Requiem' by Beyoncé, over and over and over. Her technique in that song is so mesmerizing and astonishing: and listening to her phraseology, her musicianship, understanding the history of her voice that had led her to be able to make that sound that is so still, so present. I studied that, and I appreciated that Beyoncé can be a [powerful] vocalist, but she also knows how to be still.”

— Anne Hathaway, Actress

“And I thought, okay, maybe there's something to be said about having a sweet, still voice, maybe I can work with this. But learning pop phrasing was a really big deal — that was like learning a new language.”

— Anne Hathaway, Actress

What’s next

Mother Mary hits theaters on April 17, 2026, giving audiences a chance to see the results of Hathaway's Beyoncé-inspired vocal transformation for her pop star role.

The takeaway

Hathaway's preparation process for 'Mother Mary' demonstrates the importance of vocal versatility for actors portraying musicians on screen, as well as the influence that contemporary pop icons like Beyoncé can have on shaping an actor's performance.