Hating Megan Markle Has Become Big Business

 

Yes, it has become big business, and there are people who are making a lot of money and supporting themselves by deliberately promoting hate for this one individual.  I can't imagine living like this, being one little woman who is vilified on a daily basis, much to the satisfaction of the people who are earning money from this endeavor.

The Duchess of Sussex has already revealed in an interview that in the past she has had thoughts of self-harm, that she knew she needed help, but did not know how to go about getting it.

Hopefully, ensconced in her home in California, she feels safe and secure and at peace.  I really hope so.  But if anything should happen to this woman because of the mental and emotional distress caused by these constant world-wide hate campaigns, I hope her family would seek justice, accountability, as well as financial restitution.

Everything this woman does is blasted with vitriol by an exuberant self-righteous band of journalists, podcasts, and news agencies.  Everything this woman does not do is blasted with virtriol by an exuberant self-righteous band of journalists, podcasts, and news agencies.  Meghan Markle is figuratively gunned down by the press, no matter what she does, or what position she takes, and on a slow news day, she's blasted just for existing.

~ Amythyst Raine

Yes, many observers and commentators suggest that intense scrutiny and negativity surrounding Meghan Markle have become a significant media and online phenomenon, creating an "industry of hate" where outrage drives clicks, ad revenue, and attention for various platforms and individuals, often fueled by a mix of racism, misogyny, cultural clashes, and fascination with the Royal Family. This involves British tabloids monetizing negative stories, online forums generating endless discourse, and critics focusing on her American background and departure from royal duties, generating massive engagement despite or because of the controversy.

 

How it's become a "business": 

 

Media Monetization: 

Labour MP Chris Bryant noted that UK newspapers fill their online sites with "hateful Meghan Markle material" because it's profitable, turning public lives into tradable commodities.

Clickbait and Engagement: 

Negative coverage generates significant online engagement (clicks, shares, comments), benefiting outlets and creators.

Industry of Hate: 

A whole ecosystem has formed around disliking her, with constant online discourse, Reddit groups, and social media fueling the phenomenon.

Reasons for the intense focus: 

 

Cultural Clash: 

Her "American-ness," celebrity background, and lifestyle clashes with traditional British royal expectations.

Racism & Misogyny: 

Critics point to underlying racist and sexist undertones in the scrutiny she faces as a biracial woman entering the monarchy.

Subverting Norms: 

Her decisions, like stepping back from royal duties, are seen by some as subverting tradition, sparking fury.

Polarizing Figure: 

She remains a polarizing figure, generating both extreme criticism and strong defense, which keeps the narrative alive -- and feeds the money making monster of public hatred.

The Result: 

A constant cycle of intense media coverage, public debate, and online trolling that keeps Meghan Markle in the spotlight, whether positive or negative, creating a self-sustaining industry of attention.  

 

Media and Tabloid Revenue 


The British tabloid press, and global media outlets in general, publish numerous critical articles because they drive high traffic, sales, and advertising revenue. The intense scrutiny and criticism of nearly every action she takes ensure consistent clicks and engagement.


Monetized Online Criticism 


Social media influencers and dedicated online groups (on platforms like YouTube, Reddit, and Facebook) generate views, ad revenue, and engagement through constant critique, analysis, and often, mockery of Markle and her endeavors. Some analyses suggest that certain coordinated campaigns of harassment are motivated by financial gain.


Distraction and Image Management 


Some theories suggest the focus on Markle as a "villain" serves to distract from other issues within the Royal Family or broader societal problems. By making her a central figure of controversy, attention is diverted from other, potentially more damaging, stories or systemic issues.


Public Polarization 


The divisive nature of public opinion about Markle means people are either staunchly in favor or strongly against her, with few ambivalent views. This polarization leads to highly engaged audiences who consume content that confirms their existing biases, further fueling the "business" of both positive and negative coverage.

Nature of the Criticism

The nature of the criticism is often described as obsessive, covering everything from her body language and outfits to her business decisions and the names of her children. Factors cited as underlying the disproportionate scrutiny include: 

• Race and misogyny
• Her status as an American actress entering a very traditional British institution
• Perceived hypocrisy regarding privacy and public life
• General dislike of celebrity culture and wealth

Ultimately, the argument is that whether people love her or hate her, they are watching and clicking, making the sustained conversation around her a lucrative commercial enterprise.

Media Narratives and Double Standards

Bloggers and journalists have pointed out how the UK tabloids, in particular, apply different standards to Meghan compared to her sister-in-law, Kate Middleton. Actions framed as positive for one were often framed as negative, calculating, or difficult for the other, fueling public animosity.

"Megxit" and Blame 

A major focal point for hate was the decision by Prince Harry and Meghan to step back from royal duties. Many critics blamed Meghan for manipulating Harry and causing a rift within the family, often ignoring Harry's own expressed desire to protect his family from a system that reminded him of his mother's tragic death.

Misogyny and Racism

Many posts and articles highlight that the criticism often intersects with racism and sexism. Specific examples include racially charged headlines, comments about her pregnancy bump, and a BBC presenter comparing her newborn son to a chimpanzee.

Targeted Harassment

The Duchess of Sussex has stated she was the "most trolled person in the entire world" in 2019, much of which occurred while she was on maternity leave. This sustained personal level of abuse has led to discussions about mental health and the impact of online cruelty.

 

It’s one thing if people decide they don’t like Meghan and then just continue to not pay attention to her. But Meghan Markle inspires an especially obsessive kind of hate. Every move she makes is criticized, including the words she uses, her body language, the outfits she wears, and the names of her children. It’s ridiculous.

No matter how many times Meghan speaks about the detriment the hate has on her mental health, it never stops. See Jeremy Clarkson’s infamous op-ed about hating her (thankfully, he’s since apologized). Even if you think Meghan is tone deaf, rude, or calculating, how does that possibly warrant this amount of hate?

From:

Why Can't People Stop Hating Meghan Markle

Exactly. Leave Meghan Sussex TF alone. The obsession is embarrassing at this point. She moved on, built her own life, and is minding her business — meanwhile some folks wake up every day just to hate-watch her existence. If you don’t like her, stop stalking her and move on. She’s thriving… y’all are just mad about it.

From:

threads.com

I’m not a Meghan Markle fan or anything, I'm indifferent, but every now and then, a video about her pops up on my YouTube recommendations and I’ll click out of curiosity. What always gets me isn’t the content of the videos it’s the creators behind them. Always, it’s a white woman, usually American, who has dedicated her entire channel to ripping Meghan Markle apart.

And I don’t mean one or two videos. I’m talking about years’ worth of content—video after video, thumbnail after thumbnail, where Meghan is the subject. Every sigh she lets out, every outfit she wears, every word she speaks is dissected with this creepy, obsessive energy. It’s disturbing. It’s not normal.

From:  Reddit...

Why Are White American Women So Obsessed With Hating Meghan Markle

Hating Meghan Markle is a billion dollar industry.  It will never stop.  Too many people make a living off it.

From:
Black Lives Matter ~ London/Facebook

With Love Meghan Inflames the Haters

 

So, I just finished watching the first season of Meghan Markle's new Netflix life style show: With love, Meghan.  

I loved it.  And I left a comment on the YouTube trailer of this show saying just that and more -- how relaxing it was to watch, that it has an almost ASMR quality about it, that it's very calm and filled with beautiful images, and colors, and decor.  I said that I also loved her soft quiet voice throughout the show, that it just added to the calm and relaxing ambiance.

To my comment was added two positive replies mirroring my own opinions, only two people who had something positive and constructive to say about a delightful, beautifully filmed, fun show.  Only two people.  As I scrolled through the rest of the comments, I actually became alarmed at the amount of snide, vulgar, ugly, hatefilled rhetoric.  What is the matter with these people?  I'm thinking something must be wrong here, because these anonymous individuals are expending so much time and energy voicing their hatred towards one little woman, and for no good reason, to be honest.  Hating Meghan Markle has become big business.  Podcasters and gossip shows are making money and ratings off verbally attacking and eviserating this woman.

So I decided to persue this further, and I found an interesting explanation for all this hate at, of all places:  Psychology Today.

The following illuminating information and unabashed explantion for the attitude of the multitudes towards this one little woman is attributed to Chamin Ajjan, reviewed by Margaret Foley. You can find the original article at this LINK.

Meghan Markle has once again found herself at the center of a cultural firestorm, this time over her new lifestyle series. The level of vitriol aimed at her is striking but, unfortunately, not surprising. The reaction to her show highlights deeper psychological and societal issues: our obsession with placing celebrities on a pedestal only to revel in their downfall, the dark side of online trolling, the insidious influence of racial biases, and the ever-present sting of envy.

The Pedestal Effect and the Dark Side of Online Anonymity

Our culture loves to elevate public figures, only to take pleasure in their downfall. Meghan Markle’s journey from actress to duchess to one of the most scrutinized women in modern history is a prime example. This shift, sometimes called the pedestal effect, occurs when admiration turns to resentment the moment a public figure stops conforming to expectations.

This phenomenon is often rooted in our insecurities. Seeing someone seemingly have it all can trigger feelings of inadequacy or envy. When they stumble or defy expectations, tearing them down becomes a way to reclaim a sense of control. But does it make us feel better? It may provide a momentary high, but it reinforces negative thought patterns and deepens social divisions.

Social media has amplified this cycle, providing a platform where people feel emboldened to say things they would never say in person. The anonymity of the internet fosters a false sense of power and detachment from consequences, fueling a culture of relentless online bullying, particularly against high-profile women. You might hesitate to call it bullying, but let’s be clear, trolling is cyberbullying. Hate-fueled comment sections and targeted harassment are not just unpleasant; they have real psychological consequences -- increasing anxiety, depression, and even PTSD-like symptoms.

And for those engaging in the bullying? Research suggests it is often a projection of their own insecurities. They may be able to hide behind a screen when making harsh comments, but they cannot hide from their own inner critic.

The Racism Factor: The Narrow Expectations of Blackness

An insidious layer of the backlash against Meghan Markle is racism. Many have been conditioned to believe there is only one acceptable way to exist as a person of Black ancestry, and those who do not fit that mold, whether in speech, choices, relationships, or lifestyle, often face suspicion or hostility.

This form of racial gatekeeping is not new, but in Meghan’s case, it is particularly jarring. Her biracial identity, wealth, and proximity to royalty make her an easy target for those who, consciously or unconsciously, see success and privilege as belonging to a select few. The discomfort surrounding her presence in these spaces is not just personal. It is cultural conditioning at work.

This thinking also fuels internalized racism. Janeé Steele, a scholar and leader in multicultural mental health, describes two sides of this: "A sense of racial superiority upholds white-centered values as the gold standard for success and behavior, while reactions against mainstream expectations lead some Black individuals to harshly judge themselves and others for not conforming to Black stereotypes."

This creates a no-win situation for Black people or those of mixed Black heritage. Too polished, and they are accused of assimilating. Too authentic, and they are labeled as reinforcing stereotypes. Meghan Markle, like many others, challenges the rigid definitions of Blackness imposed by both white and Black communities. This reality continues to fuel much of the hostility toward her.

Your Envy Is Showing: Criticism or Reflection?

At its core, much of the backlash against Meghan Markle seems rooted in envy. Not necessarily the obvious "I want to be a princess" kind, but a deeper envy of someone who appears to have crafted a life on her own terms. Many of the loudest critics likely do not even realize that their disdain is a reflection of their own unfulfilled desires.

That is the thing about envy -- it rarely shows up as admiration. Instead, it often disguises itself as judgment. She’s fake. She’s self-absorbed. She’s unrelatable. These are easy criticisms to hurl at someone who seems happy, successful, and unapologetic in her choices. But here is the truth: your envy is showing.

No one is above this emotion. I felt a tinge of envy myself. She has my estate and my garden in my dream town. But instead of letting that feeling curdle into resentment, I let it teach me something about my own desires -- and budget. Envy can be a guide if we allow it. It can reveal what we truly want, rather than becoming a reason to tear others down.

When we feel triggered by someone else’s success, lifestyle, or confidence, it is worth pausing to ask why. Tearing others down will not bring us any closer to what we truly want. It only deepens our dissatisfaction.

Instead of letting envy turn into resentment, we can use it as a tool for self-reflection. What if, instead of criticizing, we allowed ourselves to be inspired? After all, I actually like Meghan’s new show. I find it refreshing. I appreciate how she presents simple, engaging lifestyle ideas in a beautifully shot, visually relaxing format. Watching it feels like a mini vacation -- something we could all use in an often overwhelming world.

And if that is not your thing? That is fine. The beauty of media is that we can choose what we consume. But tearing something or someone down just because we do not like it? That says more about us than it does about her.

Critique Without Cruelty

Not every piece of entertainment is for everyone, and thoughtful criticism is valuable. But there is a difference between constructive critique and the gleeful destruction of someone else’s work and character.

At the end of the day, we do not have to like everything. But we do not have to tear it down to build ourselves up.