Anne — whose character is a little mad and extremely sensitive, as well as being able to mix potions in the kitchen — says director Tim Burton told her to base the White Queen on the domestic goddess.
“I thought the Nigella reference was actually very helpful, the way she’s so passionate about food, and especially her descriptions of it, that definitely helped me in the cooking scene, more so than the other scenes, but especially when she’s in the kitchen,” Hathaway revealed.
“I’m misquoting her but Nigella’s always talking about ‘a cacophony of flavors that enters your mouth’ and I wanted to give the White Queen that kind of sensuality in the kitchen – of course she’s talking about buttered fingers and things like that and makes herself retch so it’s not quite the same effect!”
Hathaway, 27, also revealed how she took inspiration form ’80s rocker Debbie Harry.
“I got really into Debbie Harry and so I was listening to a lot of Blondie and all of that,” she said.
“It was the idea that someone can look so sweet yet still be very tough and fierce and I think Debbie Harry sums that up pretty much.
“I was looking at the whole Grace Kelly look, but I wanted her to be a bit more punky – so Debbie Harry was perfect.”
