Meghan and Harry's Oprah interview triggers celebs' own stories of racism and sexism
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While the masses and the media debated the ramifications of Oprah Winfrey's Sunday interview with Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, many of the celebrity reactions to the CBS special carried an undertone of sadness, along with a sprinkling of anger and humor.
Friends and supporters including tennis star Serena Williams, poet Amanda Gorman and "The Bachelor" star Matt James were among those sharing their thoughts.
Williams, who said she knows "first hand the sexism and racism institutions and the media use to vilify women and people of color," posted on Instagram, "I want Meghan's daughter, my daughter and your daughter to live in a society that is driven by respect."
Prince Harry clarifies that it was not Queen Elizabeth II or Prince Philip who commented on Archie's skin color . https://t.co/U1rPSvd1Q8
— CBS This Morning (@CBSThisMorning) March 8, 2021
Gorman tweeted, "Meghan was the Crown's greatest opportunity for change, regeneration and reconciliation in a new era. They didn't just maltreat her light-- they missed out on it."
"Not surprised at all by what I’m hearing," James tweeted, "just a sad reminder."
Read on for more celebrity reactions to “Oprah With Meghan and Harry,” which, according to the Wall Street Journal, CBS paid at least $7 million to license. (The TV audience of 17.1 million viewers, by the way, was larger than that for the most recent Emmy Awards and Golden Globes broadcasts combined.)
Meghan was the Crown's greatest opportunity for change, regeneration, and reconciliation in a new era. They didn't just maltreat her light--they missed out on it.
— Amanda Gorman (@TheAmandaGorman) March 8, 2021
Not surprised at all by what I’m hearing, just a sad reminder.
— Matt James (@mattjames919) March 8, 2021
Among the revelations from the Meghan and Harry interview is Meghan’s struggle with mental health.
Her honesty will hopefully lead to more acceptance and more help for those who need it.
#OprahMeghanHarry— Billie Jean King (@BillieJeanKing) March 8, 2021
It’s true what Meghan Markle told @Oprah, we don’t know what goes on in people’s lives behind closed doors. That’s something we can all remember.
— Maria Shriver (@mariashriver) March 8, 2021
Monarchy has been an archaic and toxic concept since 1776. pic.twitter.com/HskkdczDt6
— Meghan McCain (@MeghanMcCain) March 8, 2021
Every. Single. Day. https://t.co/mIKSWXu5Gn
— Gabrielle Union (@itsgabrielleu) March 8, 2021
I watched M & H sit down. Emotional distress & racism must feel suffocating & powerless. I’m a polarizing, unfiltered(often to a fault)flawed person w a voice. When I heard of the interview,during a pandemic, it felt like a surprising choice. I’m sorry if it hurt or offended you.
— Bethenny Frankel (@Bethenny) March 8, 2021
I too worked at an ice cream shop, was a server and am an actor. But unlike Meghan Markle, I am making my own prince out of pillows and sheets
— mary lynn rajskub (@MaryLynnRajskub) March 8, 2021
To be clear: We did not commission Oprah to do A Roast of the Monarchy last night.
— comedycentral (@ComedyCentral) March 8, 2021
We are still here for you, Meghan. Everyone deserves the protection of a union. #MeghanandHarryonOprah #unionstrong #sagaftramember
— SAG-AFTRA (@sagaftra) March 8, 2021
This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
