“Nauseatingly Contrived”: Meghan Markle’s Latest Charity Video Sparks Criticism
Meghan Markle is once again at the center of controversy, this time over a social media video meant to showcase a good deed. Instead of praise, the post has been slammed as “nauseatingly contrived,” with critics accusing her of using a tragedy for self-promotion.
In the video, Meghan appears casually dressed with minimal makeup as she shares how she helped a 15-year-old girl who lost her home in the LA wildfires. Wanting to cheer her up, Meghan reached out to Billie Eilish and secured signed merchandise, including T-shirts and a lunchbox.
Meghan’s Sincerity Questioned
While this might seem like a kind gesture, many people weren’t buying it. The video quickly sparked backlash, with some calling it overly staged and insincere. Branding expert Hayley Knight pointed out that the “candid” and “unedited” style looked like an attempt to appeal to younger social media users. “The video is a very stylistic, intentional attempt to place her relevance amongst a younger audience,” Knight said.
Social media expert Estelle Keeber agreed, saying, “Meghan is embracing a personality-driven approach that resonates with younger users who prefer authenticity over polished perfection.” But many critics argued that Meghan’s relaxed, relatable tone felt forced. They claimed her expressions and delivery seemed rehearsed rather than genuine.
Adding to the backlash, Meghan casually name-dropped celebrities in the video, thanking Adam Levine and Behati Prinsloo for helping her connect with Billie Eilish. Some viewers felt this took away from the focus of the good deed, making it seem more like an opportunity to remind people of her famous friends.
Author Alexander Larman didn’t hold back in his criticism, writing for The Spectator that Meghan’s video was “nauseatingly contrived.” He described her “faux-excitement” and “little smiles to camera” as overly rehearsed.
The criticism didn’t stop there. Social media users promptly pointed out that other celebrities, including Eilish, Levine, and Prinsloo, had helped quietly without a public video. One person on X (formerly Twitter) wrote, “So many celebrities have quietly helped out with donations, but Meghan is the only one to do a promotional video about herself. Look, everyone! Look what I did!”
Altadena’s “Disaster Tourists”?
This isn’t the first time Meghan’s charitable efforts have raised eyebrows. She recently visited wildfire evacuation centers and donated to the Altadena Girls Fire Recovery Fund, a charity supporting teen girls affected by the fires. While this might seem like a positive move, actress Justine Bateman dismissed the visit, calling Meghan and Harry “disaster tourists” looking for
“a photo opp.”
It seems like every time Meghan tries to do something good, it turns into a debate about her true intentions. At this point, Meghan might want to consider that sometimes, good deeds speak louder without self-promotion.
