‘I didn’t grow up pretty, but I grew up smart’, claims Meghan Markle as she admits she was envious of Paris Hilton
MEGHAN Markle claimed she “didn’t grow up pretty”, but she did “grow up as the smart one.”
In an interview with Variety, the Duchess of Sussex got candid about being envious of Paris Hilton and how she deals with people who make her angry.
Meghan, 43, was asked what was one of the most challenging interviews she had so far done on her Spotify podcast Archetypes.
The mum-of-two claimed that it was her “Breaking down ‘The Bimbo’ with Paris Hilton” episode.
She explained: “I was embarrassed to admit it, but I’ve had a judgement about her that’s based on everything I’ve seen, and I don’t like to come from a place of judgement.
“But I also didn’t grow up pretty.”
Meghan was asked to elaborate on not “growing up pretty”, and she continued: “I grew up as the smart one.”
The Duchess admitted that two “dangerous” emotions she had when she thought about Paris were “envy and judgement”.
She added: “Ultimately, I told her, ‘I’m really sorry that I judged you.’ I wanted her to be safe and comfortable.”
During the interview, Meghan also shared how she has done “a lot of internal work”, and says that this is “in the water” when you are from California.
And she also revealed what she does when people make her angry.
She added: “Whether you’re exercising or meditating, you’re sometimes asked to picture a person that makes you angry.
“You think about them, you get it all out, and then you’re asked to think about them as a 6-year-old child. Can you forgive them? That ’s how I contextually approach that.”
‘Ugly duckling’ start
Meghan claimed she was a shy “ugly duckling” growing up in another episode of her Spotify podcast.
Meghan told comedian Mindy Kaling, how she was a “shy loner” who became “the smart one” by throwing herself into extra-curricular activities.
In the 50-minute episode titled The Stigma of the Singleton with Mindy Kaling, the comedian asked Meghan: “Were you not the pretty one growing up?”
The Duchess of Sussex replied: “No, god no. Ugly duckling. Not conventional beauty – maybe now that would be seen as beautiful.
“I had massive frizzy curly hair. I had a huge gap in my teeth.
“I was the smart one, forever and ever and ever. And then just sort of grew up.”
She added: “I never had anyone to sit with at lunch.
“I was always a little bit of a loner and really shy. I didn’t know where I fit in.
“So I was like, oh I’ll become president of the multicultural club, the president of sophomore class, of French club.
“And by doing that I had meetings at lunch time so I didn’t have to worry about who I would sit with or what I would do.”
Kaling said Meghan’s admission made her “emotional” and added: “You do seem so intimidating.
“Your life is together. You’re so beautiful.
“It’s nice to know that you were a lonely kid who didn’t necessarily begin that way.”
Meghan ended the discussion by saying: “I’m glad we both got to share with each other.”
Meghan’s childhood
Meghan was born and raised in California, and after being privately educated in Los Angeles, the Suits star began pursuing a career in acting.
Her African-American mum, Doria Ragland, has a master’s degree in social work and works as a psychotherapist.
Meghan’s now-estranged dad Thomas is of Irish and Dutch descent and is an Emmy award-winning lighting director.
The actress’ parents divorced when she was six-years-old.
During her childhood, Meghan was often taken on set by her father, sparking her interest in the industry.
This paired with the fact that she grew up in Hollywood undoubtedly influenced her interest in the world of showbusiness.
In 2003, she graduated from Northwestern University, where she got a degree in theatre and international studies.
Cute snaps show that Markle looked like a curly-haired cherub as a tot.
What is Meghan Markle’s new business?
Meghan Markle has launched a new Instagram brand called American Riviera Orchard.
Industry insiders said the site will focus on home, food, garden and lifestyle goods.
A source told the Mail: “It’s a lifestyle and cooking brand called American Riviera Orchard.
“The brand is meant to coincide with the launch of a new cookery show for Netflix.
“Meghan will be making, and selling, products such as jams. And at some point there will be a book and blog etc.”