The First Big Money Anna Kendrick Spent: A Designer Bag That Left Her ‘Stuck’

From Broadway prodigy to Hollywood star, Anna Kendrick’s journey through the entertainment industry has been marked by steady success and sharp financial decisions. Yet, like many rising stars, Kendrick’s first major earnings sparked a memorable splurge—one that perfectly encapsulates her youthful excitement and emerging sense of style.

After making her Broadway debut at age 12 in High Society (1998)—a role that earned her a Tony nomination—Kendrick’s first forays into film, including Camp (2003) and Rocket Science (2007), garnered critical praise but modest financial rewards. It wasn’t until her supporting role as Jessica Stanley in Twilight (2008) and her Oscar-nominated turn in Up in the Air (2009) alongside George Clooney that Kendrick finally experienced the financial perks of major Hollywood success.

In a 2014 interview with People, Kendrick revealed how she chose to spend her first big paycheck: on a designer handbag. “My first designer purchase was a Marc by Marc [Jacobs] bag that was covered in studs and I thought it was so badass,” she shared. While the bag may have looked edgy and sophisticated, Kendrick quickly realized it wasn’t exactly practical. “It was so heavy, I could only carry it for a couple of hours at a time,” she admitted.

This candid detail offers a glimpse into Kendrick’s early relationship with fame and fortune—marked not by extravagance or flashy displays but by the kind of relatable splurge many dream about when getting their first real paycheck.

Beyond that first designer indulgence, Kendrick has made more substantial investments as her career blossomed. She purchased a $1 million Hollywood Hills home in 2012 and upgraded to a $7 million property in 2022, according to MoneyMade. However, those acquisitions came years after she first entered the public consciousness as a scene-stealer in Twilight and a serious talent in Up in the Air.

In her 2016 memoir Scrappy Little Nobody, Kendrick touches on the anxieties and practicalities of navigating fame but doesn’t linger on lavish spending. Instead, she portrays herself as pragmatic, humorously self-deprecating, and keenly aware of the fleeting nature of celebrity wealth—a mindset evident even in her slightly regretful recollection of the too-heavy Marc Jacobs bag.

Ultimately, Kendrick’s first big-money moment wasn’t about buying status—it was about celebrating a milestone with something that, at least briefly, made her feel like a bona fide star. And in true Anna Kendrick fashion, she did it with a blend of humor, self-awareness, and a few sore shoulders.