Karl-Anthony Towns says he was invited to The Devil Wears Prada 2 premiere but couldn’t attend due to a Knicks playoff game.
Karl-Anthony Towns revealed why he didn’t walk the red carpet for The Devil Wears Prada 2, despite starring in a cameo tied directly to New York.
The Knicks forward was invited to the world premiere in New York City on April 20. 2026. but he wasn’t able to make it.. Speaking to reporters, Towns said the reason was simple: he had work to do.. That “work” came in the form of a Knicks playoff game the same night against the Atlanta Hawks. a series the team ultimately lost.
In the middle of a high-pressure postseason, even a headline moment in pop culture has to fit around the schedule. That reality is a reminder of how tightly elite athletes’ responsibilities can crowd out everything else.
Towns’ cameo in The Devil Wears Prada 2 places him as himself. appearing among the celebrity guests in the Hamptons for Miranda Priestly’s world.. The film leans into the same blend of glamour and basketball crossover that’s becoming increasingly familiar. while also nodding to Towns’ connection to New York.
While the movie’s fictional weekend atmosphere includes plenty of celebrity energy, Towns’ presence adds an extra layer for fans who know him as a Knicks centerpiece. It also highlights how his public profile can travel well beyond the court, even when he can’t be at the premiere.
This kind of crossover matters because it strengthens the spotlight on athletes as mainstream figures, not just sports stars. Yet it also shows the limits of that spotlight when competition calls first.
The Devil Wears Prada 2 director David Frankel discussed Towns’ inclusion, describing him as a major fan of the franchise and expressing enthusiasm about the cameo. Frankel framed Towns as someone who fits into Miranda’s circle, built around people he believes are at the top of their craft.
For Knicks fans, the bigger takeaway is that Towns’ absence from the premiere wasn’t about a snub or a refusal. It was tied to the postseason reality unfolding back in his arena, where basketball demands every available attention.
That balance is exactly why stories like this resonate: the glitz of Hollywood can be tempting, but the work that defines a season still comes first. For Towns, the red carpet waited.