Hathaway picks Knicks title over Oscar in Fallon interview

The actress Anne Hathaway selected a New York Knicks championship over winning another Academy Award while appearing on The Tonight Show. This choice occurred during a segment hosted by Jimmy Fallon, where Hathaway was asked to pick between two major ambitions. She ultimately prioritized the basketball team despite being considered a frontrunner for the Oscar.

Verity promotion and Knicks gifts

Hathaway visited the show to promote Verity, an upcoming erotic thriller. During the episode, Fallon highlighted her status as a lifelong fan of the Knicks and a native of New York City. The host surprised her with a signed jersey from OG Anunoby. "Are you serious? Oh my god!" she exclaimed upon receiving the item. The team also provided gifts for her baby, including a card signed by Anunoby.

"Best Thing Ever" game dilemma

Fallon introduced a segment titled "Best Thing Ever," which required Hathaway to choose between cherished options. One specific question forced her to decide between securing another Oscar or witnessing another Knicks championship. After hesitating, she stated, "I… I… OK…." before selecting the Knicks title. Her response indicated that her loyalty to the franchise runs deep.

Hathaway described the physical impact of the decision, noting, "I’m actually, like, the way my nervous system is reacting to that choice is really intense." She made this difficult selection while five months pregnant. The interaction underscored the tension between her professional accolades and her personal sports allegiance.

Hollywood sports lore connection

The link between Hathaway and the Knicks has become part of ongoing Hollywood sports jokes. Following the premiere of The Devil Wears Prada 2, she was jokingly credited with aiding the team’s success. That film featured a scene involving Knicks star Karl-Anthony Towns. Subsequently, the Knicks achieved a historic 13-game winning streak. This run concluded during Game 3 of the NBA Finals on June 9. Hathaway’s alleged influence remains a playful element of the team’s narrative.

By choosing the championship, Hathaway favored basketball over potential Oscar glory. Her answer reflected her long-standing connection to the Knicks. Fallon transformed this loyalty into a challenging question during the broadcast.