Hollywood actress Anne Hathaway claimed that the she had been inspired by Meryl Streep to pursue her acting career. Hathaway said that watching Streep on the set of The Devil Wears Prada solidified her career goals.

Hathaway worked with Oscar-winner Streep (Sophie's Choice, Kramer vs. Kramer) when Anne took the lead role Andy Sachs in the movie adaptation of Lauren Weisbergers' debut novel. Streep received her 14th Oscar nomination, and a Golden Globe for her performance as fashion editor Miranda Priestly in the movie.

"It was an incredible thing to watch her transform - to watch her be Meryl in the rehearsal room, and then she would completely disappear for the next 13 hours," Hathaway told Fresh Air.

"And I don't think I'd ever seen acting like that - on the cellular level - up close before, and for such a long period of time. It made me want to do that."

Hathaway, who has earned an Oscar nomination herself since working with Streep in 2006, expressed her amazement to the level of commitment The French Lieutenant's Woman actress has for her character.

"I didn't realize that an actor could have that level of focus and still be spontaneous. And her vocal work just amazed me - her breathing. From a technical standpoint, I didn't know how she could be so on top of everything and still be so relaxed," Hathaway said.

"And that just really blew my mind - how deep in her bones she'd taken the character."

Anne Hathaway will next be seen as Emma, in One Day which is currently filiming. The actress also stars opposite Jake Gyllenhaal in Love & Other Drugs which is currently showing in theatres world-wide. She will co-host the 83rd Academy Awards with actor James Franco next year.