What Meghan Markle’s Friends and Colleagues Are Saying About Those Bullying Allegations

Meghan Markle’s Hollywood peers, including Chrishell Stause and Gabrielle Union, are weighing in on the recent bullying claims being made against the Duchess before her Oprah Winfrey interview.

By McKenna Aiello, Lindsay Weinberg Mar 05, 2021 9:46 PMTags

Meghan Markle's squad is coming to her defense. 

Days after The Times published anonymous allegations that Meghan bullied her staffers and left royal aides in tears, the Duchess of Sussex's friends are speaking out on her behalf. 

Chrishell Stause, Jameela Jamil and Chance the Rapper are just a few of the stars sharing statements in support of Meghan after the accusations were made.

In response to the article, Buckingham Palace announced it would launch an investigation into the alleged incidents from about two years ago.

Royal biographer Omid Scobie, who co-wrote the book Finding Freedom about the Sussexes last year, spoke to unnamed friends of Meghan's, including one that said, "Harry and Meghan knew that it would get ugly" ahead of their interview with Oprah Winfrey on Sunday, March 7. The friend called the bullying claims "an obvious attempt at destroying her character," and added that they are "distressing and upsetting."

A writer for Suits, the show on which Meghan played Rachel Zane from 2011 to 2018, also stood up for his former colleague. "It's also possible the Duchess of Sussex is a good person thrust into an unimaginable world," Jon Cowan wrote on Twitter on Thursday, March 4. "Having spent 3 years working with her in her pre-Duchess days, I saw a warm, kind, caring person. I know nothing of her current situation but she gets the benefit of the doubt in my book."

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Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's History-Making Moments

As seen in a teaser for the CBS special with Oprah, Meghan herself claimed the Palace has had a hand in spreading lies about her and Prince Harry throughout their relationship. 

"I don't know how they could expect that after all of this time we would still just be silent when there is an active role that the Firm is playing in perpetuating falsehoods about us," the pregnant royal told the journalist in the pre-recorded clip, which was released on Wednesday, March 3.

See her peers' reactions to the controversy below.

Jessica Mulroney

"I don't know that anyone has ever had to deal with the pressure, the politics and the press like this woman," the Canadian stylist, whose children had a role in the royal wedding, remarked on Instagram. "In the face of it all, I have never seen her waver from kindness, empathy and love."

Patrick J. Adams

Meghan's former Suits co-star tweeted a lengthy message, which read in part, "It's OBSCENE that the Royal Family, who's newest member is currently GROWING INSIDE OF HER, is promoting and amplifying accusations of 'bullying' against a woman who herself was basically forced to flea the UK in order protect her family and her own mental health."

Patrick continued, "IMO, this newest chapter and its timing is just another stunning example of the shamelessness of a [sic] institution that has outlived its relevance, is way overdrawn on credibility and apparently bankrupt of decency... Find someone else to admonish, berate and torment. My friend Meghan is way out of your league."

Silver Tree

The director and producer described Meghan on Instagram as "the friend who insists on always hearing the details of your life, your day, your kids life, your kids day, before hers. Always before hers... The friend who stocks her house full of all your very favourite things when you visit and pretends she already had them-just because she wants the moment to be about you not her. It's always that way with her friends- us before her."

"When you move to a new city," Silver continued, "she creates a book of all the special things that city can give you- shares all the little secrets it offers over to you so you'll feel less homesick. She leaves it on your doorstep so you have it when you wake up."

"On her wedding day she checks in on me the morning of. It's her day, the world is standing by, it's a lot-but she wants the day to be special for me. 'You've come such a long way' she says 'Are you jet lagged?' she says 'I made you a playlist to listen to while you get ready' she says..."

Her post concluded in part, "She's the friend who shares her all of her secrets with you, because despite having so many reasons to put walls up her heart remains as wide open as it always has been. This is Meg before she met H. This is Meg now. She's always been this person. She's not a headline. She's my friend. I love her."

Lindsay Roth

In an Instagram post shared on March 4, the producer and author shared, "Meg's M.O. has always been kindness; goodwill runs in her bones. I know this to be true after 22 years of very close friendship. I have seen firsthand how she treats her friends and their families, and her colleagues. "

"If she's driving with you in the passenger seat, she will fling her right arm in front of you at the slightest bump in a gesture of love to ensure your safety," Lindsay continued. "If you have a specific goal, she will help you get there, and your passions will become hers on your behalf. If you ever have the pleasure of meeting Meg - and I hope more of you do - you will see the altruistic, magnanimous friend who I am so lucky to have in my corner. ⁣"

"She's funny. Like, laugh out loud funny. And smart. She's more than just a cover story."

"She was this woman when we were students together at Northwestern University; she was this woman in Los Angeles when her days were spent auditioning; she was this woman living in Toronto as Rachel Zane on Suits; she was this woman before you knew she was dating Harry; she was this woman after you knew was dating Harry; she was this woman when she became Duchess of Sussex and she is still - without a doubt - this very same woman today."

Janina Gavankar

"I have known Meghan for 17 years," the actress, who attended Meghan and Prince Harry's wedding, tweeted. "Here's what she is: kind, strong, open. Here's what she's not: 'a bully'. ANY of us who know her, feel the same thing from her broken silence: Relief. The truth shall set you free."

Daniel Martin

The Duchess of Sussex's longtime makeup artist shared a photo with her on Instagram and quoted, "'Because she isn't self centered, people can see the light in her. Because she does not boast of herself, she becomes a shining example. Because she does not glorify herself, she becomes a person of merit. Because she wants nothing from the world, the world cannot overcome her.' -Tao Te Ching"

Jameela Jamil

"So lemme just get this straight," The Good Place star and acquaintance of Meghan wrote on Twitter. "The palace were fine with all of Meghan's 'bullying' for years and years until a few days before they fear she may out them publicly. Seems like a legit claim..." 

Jameela added, "IF THIS IS WHAT THE ROYAL FAMILY IS COMFORTABLE DOING TO A HEAVILY PREGNANT WOMAN PUBLICLY.... can we even IMAGINE what they put her through privately? They seem terrified. Her interview hasn't even aired yet. What are they covering up? The stench of their desperation is rotten."

Chrishell Stause

The Selling Sunset star tweeted, "My timeline is very pro Meghan Markle which I love. But I just scrolled some of the comments on a news site's post & it was almost shocking that people hate her so much. I worry about people's sanity who can attach so much hate to someone they dont know."

Jon Cowan

Cowan, a writer on Suits, tweeted, "It's also possible the Duchess of Sussex is a good person thrust into an unimaginable world. Having spent 3 years working with her in her pre-Duchess days, I saw a warm, kind, caring person. I know nothing of her current situation but she gets the benefit of the doubt in my book."

Angela Harvey

The writer and producer wrote on Twitter, "I worked on a set in Toronto when Meghan was on Suits. The ADs, PAs, and other crew on my show who had also worked with her loved her. LOVED. Set dynamics being what they are... I do not believe this bullying narrative for a microsecond."

Chance the Rapper

"Do y'all find yourselves getting mad as HELL every time they talk sideways about the Duchess Meghan?" the artist tweeted.

Gabrielle Union

In response to The Times' coverage of the alleged bullying complaints against Meghan, the star tweeted, "Sure, Jan."

Heather Dorak

"It's hard for me to watch her go through all that she has to as the Meghan the press can love to hate….," pilates instructor and one of Meghan's friends, Heather Dorak, shared on Instagram. "Mostly because it's so far from the Meghan that I know. Sweet. Kind. Always showing up! Two weeks ago, she was the first to surprise me with a gift after my knee surgery. 17 years ago, she walked into my fledgling Pilates studio and instantly became my rock in all things early 20's - career, love, figuring out how to adult. Since that day, she has never stopped being one of my brightest sources of light. It may be hard to see, but she lives for the little, thoughtful things – flowers for no reason, a random sweet, handwritten note. She's always been truly wonderful ... M, I love you."

(This story was originally published on Thursday, March 4, 2021 at 6:48 p.m. PST)