American Heart Association Criticizes CPR Depiction in 'Devil Wears Prada' Sequel, Warns Inaccuracies Cost Lives
The American Heart Association calls out the fictional sequel for portraying ineffective CPR, emphasizing that such inaccuracies can dangerously mislead viewers in real emergencies.
The American Heart Association has issued a statement criticizing the depiction of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) in the newly released sequel to "The Devil Wears Prada," warning that the film's inaccuracies could have life-threatening consequences in real-world emergencies. In the movie, a party guest attempts Hands-Only CPR after the character Irv Ravitz, played by actor Tibor Feldman, collapses from sudden cardiac arrest. However, no one calls 9-1-1, and the chest compressions shown are unrealistic and ineffective—details that critics and fans have quickly flagged.
"In real life, there is no room for feeling powerless when someone’s heart stops," said Stacey E. Rosen, M.D., FAHA, volunteer president of the American Heart Association and executive director of the Katz Institute for Women’s Health and senior vice president of women’s health at Northwell Health in New York City. "I can just hear Miranda Priestly saying, ‘Why was no one ready?’ Hands-only CPR is simple, effective and something anyone can do. You don’t need medical training, perfection or permission—just the willingness to act immediately."
According to the American Heart Association, every minute without high-quality CPR reduces a person’s chance of survival. When films and television depict CPR inaccurately, it can normalize hesitation, confusion, and failure in moments when precision saves lives. The Heart Association’s Nation of Lifesavers™ campaign seeks to educate the public and encourage immediate action from anyone who witnesses an emergency.
The recommended two-step response in a cardiac emergency is to call 911 immediately and then perform Hands-Only CPR: push hard and fast in the center of the chest to the beat of a song with 100-120 beats per minute. The song "RUNWAY" by Devil Wears Prada 2 cameo star Lady Gaga & Doechii (120 BPM) is cited as perfect for high-fashion lifesaving CPR technique. The public can learn the process quickly from a simple video on the American Heart Association’s website or by taking a CPR course at an approved training center.
A recent study found that CPR is frequently misrepresented in scripted television, including who receives it and where cardiac arrests occur. The American Heart Association, recently identified by the Annenberg Public Policy Center as the most trusted public health information source after an individual’s personal health care provider—with 82% of U.S. adults confident in the organization—is the largest non-government funder of cardiovascular-related scientific research worldwide, with more than $6 billion in funding over the last 75 years.
As Miranda Priestly might say, “That’s all.”