Meghan Markle Calls Out Media Sexism in Latest Podcast Episode

In a recent episode of her Archetypes podcast, Meghan Markle welcomed a surprise guest, Alison Langdon, host of the Tisay show.

The episode took an intriguing turn as Markle shared her frustrations regarding the media's portrayal of her relationship with Prince Harry, particularly the notion that she was merely lucky to have caught his eye.

To emphasize her point, Markle played a clip from Langdon's 2018 appearance on 60 Minutes Australia, where she described the couple's wedding as a real-life fairy tale.

However, it appears Langdon was caught off guard by her own words, expressing visible frustration during a live segment on the Today show shortly after the podcast aired.

Markle seized this moment to highlight what she perceives as sexism in the media's narrative surrounding her engagement.

Despite this, Langdon was quick to clarify that she never intended to imply that Meghan was fortunate to marry a prince.

Her co-host, Karl Stefanovic, joined the conversation, expressing his disbelief at how Markle's comments seemed to misrepresent Langdon's original sentiments.

Langdon, visibly exasperated, questioned whether anything she had said suggested that Meghan was lucky to be with Harry.

She remarked, “All I know is I had lots of mates who liked Meghan for a long time, and none of them do any more.”

This statement hinted at a shift in public perception regarding Markle among her former supporters.

During the podcast, Markle reflected on her early days of dating Harry, recalling how often she heard comments about her supposed good fortune.

“When I started dating my husband, we became engaged.

Everyone was just like, oh my god, you're so lucky he chose you,” she recounted.

Yet, Markle stressed that this narrative was one-sided, stating, “At a certain point, you're like, well, I chose him too.”

She went on to explain that Harry has been a supportive partner, often countering the narrative that painted her as the lucky one.

“He's the lucky one because you chose me,” she quoted him, emphasizing the importance of mutual choice in their relationship.

Markle also discussed how these gendered stereotypes can undermine a woman's self-worth.

The Duchess further elaborated on the pressures women face, suggesting that such narratives perpetuate the idea that women need validation to feel good enough.

“It just feeds into this idea that you're waiting for someone to tell you that you're good enough,” she noted, advocating for self-affirmation instead.

In a more candid moment, Markle reflected on her upbringing, sharing her struggles with self-image.

Growing up, she often felt overshadowed by the label of being “the smart one” rather than the “pretty one.”

During her conversation with actress Mindy Kaling, she reminisced about her school days and how she kept herself busy to avoid social anxieties.

When Kaling asked if she was considered pretty as a child, Markle laughed, saying, “Oh god no.” She described herself as the “ugly duckling,” highlighting her frizzy hair and gap-toothed smile.

This self-deprecating humor showcased her evolution from a self-conscious girl to a confident woman.

Markle's reflections reveal a deeper narrative about societal expectations and the challenges women face in defining their identities beyond superficial labels.

As she continues to share her experiences on the Archetypes podcast, it becomes clear that her journey is not just about her royal status but also about challenging the stereotypes that persist in society.

This episode serves as a reminder of the ongoing conversation about gender dynamics, media representation, and the importance of recognizing one's worth independently of societal perceptions.