While the Duke and Duchess have been targeted in online criticism which seemingly only further intensified by the series, some stars don't hesitate to show support toward the pair.
- Dec 18, 2022
AceShowbiz - Meghan Markle and Prince Harry have been making headlines in the wake of the release of their bombshell Netflix docuseries, "Harry & Meghan". The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, who tempt to share their sides of the story through the 6-part show, have been targeted in online criticism which seemingly only further intensified by the series.
Despite that, some stars didn't hesitate to show support toward the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. Some of them have been making it clear that they are Team Harry and Meghan since day one, while some others started speaking out to defend the royals after the hit series.
Find out ten celebrities who publicly defended the Sussex amid backlash.
1. Chrissy Teigen
Chrissy Teigen is no stranger to using her platform to voice her opinion. Back in 2021, the model and TV personality made use of her Twitter to slam those who spread hate against the Duchess of Sussex, noting that it's relatable for her.
"this meghan markle s**t is hitting too close to home for me," the wife of John Legend tweeted in March 2021. Chrissy, who was pregnant at the time, alluded that the hate against Meghan reminded her of the time when she was harassed by the press, leading to her 2020 miscarriage. "These people won't stop until she miscarries. F**king stop it."
2. Helen Mirren
Also publicly showing support to Meghan and Harry is Helen Mirren. The veteran actress applauded the royal couple for their decision to step down from their roles as senior royal family members at the height of public scrutiny especially toward Meghan.
"I think their instincts are absolutely right, and I applaud them for it," the "1923" actress said, adding, "Hugely actually. Of course, it is complicated." She also called Meghan "a fantastic addition to the royal family - charming, did everything right, was gracious, was sweet natured, and seemed to be... Wow! What a lovely addition. Didn't seem to be neurotic… So, I think it is a loss in a way, but at the same time I think their instincts are absolutely correct."
3. Gabrielle Union
Gabrielle Union was also among those who spoke out in support of Meghan. Back in 2021, the "Bring It On" actress said on Instagram that she's got Meghan back following her and Harry's bombshell interview with Oprah Winfrey.
In an Instagram, Gabrielle posted a picture of her posing with her husband Dwyane Wade and the Duchess. "You already know what time it is. I hope we all continue to rally around women who dare to stand up for themselves and others. We see you, we support you, we got your back," so she wrote in the caption.
4. Chrishell Stause
Selling Sunset star Chrishell Stause jumped to Meghan's defense after the latter was dragged by Bethenny Frankel after the bombshell interview. The Netflix star called out the former "The Real Housewives of New York City" for saying "Cry me a river" about Meghan's decision to have a tell-all interview with Oprah.
"Not a white housewife comparing her struggle to Meghan's. A woman of color joining the Royal Family," the "Days of Our Lives" alum said of the 51-year-old Bravo personality. "It's the delusion for me. Everyone is working overtime trying to silence her. Let us hear what she has to say!"
5. Chance the Rapper
Chance the Rapper also slammed online trolls after the Duchess was accused of bullying royal staff members during her time as a working royal at Kensington Palace. According to the report, which emerged ahead of Meghan and Harry's CBS interview with Oprah, the Duchess drove two of her personal assistants out of the palace in addition to "undermining" the confidence of a third staff member.
Catching wind of the criticism, the hip-hop star took to Twitter to put the trolls on blast. "Do y’all find yourselves getting mad as HELL every time they talk sideways about Duchess Meghan?" so he asked at the time.
6. Jameela Jamil
"The Good Place" star Jameela Jamil is one of the vocal supporters of Meghan. The actress claimed she had never seen a woman have to face so much public hate, slander, and jealousy as this very strong, gracious, and loving human. </p>
<p> She further gushed over Meghan when she was invited to the royal's Spotify podcast "Archetypes" in November. It's just it's an unfathomable amount of s**t that you take, Meghan. I can't believe it," she said. "And I fought back on your behalf of years before I'd ever met you because I was so outraged by the twisting of this, very normal, very kind, very civilized woman. That demonization just shows how afraid they are of you."
7. Serena Williams
As one of Meghan's best friends in the industry, Serena Williams never hesitates to defend the Duchess. The tennis star shared a lengthy statement supporting Meghan after she faced backlash over the Oprah interview.
Calling Meghan her "selfless friend," Serena claimed on Twitter back in March that "she teaches me every day what it means to be truly noble." The athlete, who was a guest at Harry and Meghan's wedding, added, "I know first hand the sexism and racism institutions and the media use to vilify women and people of color to minimize us, to break us down and demonize us. We must recognize our obligation to decry journalism. The mental health consequences of systemic oppression and victimization are devastating, isolating and all too often lethal."
8. Maren Morris
Maren Morris was one of those stars who recently defended Meghan and Harry in the wake of the release of the couple's Netflix show. Bothered by the hatred that Meghan receives, the country singer took to TikTok to criticize the "profound hatred and annoyance at Meghan Markle."
"I have to say - it's unfathomable to me, because people are saying a woman should never take a man away from his family, that's all that this is," she added. The "My Church" singer admitted she has a "moderate fascination with the monarchy and the royals" but can't understand "this very specific hatred to Meghan herself."
9. Gayle King
Gayle King wanted people to take Harry and Meghan's Netflix docuseries more seriously. When stopping by "Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen" earlier this month, the TV personality was quick to correct the host when he called the series "a reality show."
In the episode, Andy joked about how Meghan previously said that she wasn't interested in doing a reality show. In response, the "CBS Mornings" anchor corrected the host, "It's not a reality show. It's not."
10. Patrick J. Adams
Patrick J. Adams blasted haters ahead of the pair's interview with Oprah. The Duchess' former co-star on "Suits" showed his support for Meghan via a lengthy Twitter thread, explaining how she found it hard to find her place in a "seemingly archaic and toxic" family dynamic.
"She fell in love, moved to a new country, became a household name across the entire globe and began the difficult work of trying to find her place in a family dynamic that can at best be described as complicated and at worst, seemingly archaic and toxic," he wrote at the time. "It sickened me to read the endless racist, slanderous, click-baiting vitriol spewed in her direction from all manner of media across the UK and the world but I also knew that Meghan was stronger than people realised or understood and they would regret underestimating her."
