‘My selfless friend’: Celebrities react to Meghan and Harry’s Oprah interview

Serena Williams has been a close friend of Meghan’s since 2014

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Everyone has their take. Piers Morgan certainly does, storming off Good Morning Britain this morning after his co-presenter defended Meghan Markle and said she was right to cut ties with Morgan.

Others have been more sympathetic to Harry and Meghan since their bombshell Oprah interview. A-list friends from Hillary Clinton to longtime BFF Jessica Mulroney have rallied round in support, as have others who aren’t so close, like tennis icon Billie Jean King and model Chrissy Teigen.

From Meghan’s ex-Suits co-star Patrick J Adams to inauguration poetry star Amanda Gorman, here are the top celebrity reactions to the royal interview of a generation.

Serena Williams

Tennis star Serena Williams and close friend of Meghan since 2014 (she even organised Meghan’s baby shower for Archie) showed her love and respect to the couple following Oprah’s interview. On Instagram she posted: ‘I am so proud of you for being so brave. I know it is never easy. You are strong- both you and Harry. I love you. I adore you. Your friend S’.

Williams referred to Meghan as ‘my selfless friend’, who ‘teaches me every day what it means to be truly noble.’ She continued with: ‘I want Meghan’s daughter, my daughter and your daughter to live in a society that is driven by respect. Keep in your memory the fruitage of the spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faith, mildness, self-control. Against such things there is no law.’

Patrick J Adams

Meghan’s former Suits co-star Patrick J Adams spoke out against the Royal Family in defence of his friend and ex-colleague. He tweeted: ‘Find someone else to admonish, berate and torment. My friend Meghan is way out of your league’. He continued: ‘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 to protect her family and her own mental health.’

Abigail Spencer

Fellow Suits actress Abigail Spencer took to Instagram with a long essay post, standing up for Meghan, who she’s known for fourteen years. She posted: ‘So why am I writing this now? I felt drawn - in all this melee, with all the untruths swirling around - to present something real. From a real friend. About a real friend. There are some people who are so bright and exude such deep purpose that they change the molecules in the air simply through their being. She was all of this from the moment I met her fourteen years ago. And remains so to this day. Meg walks the walk. She’s a doer. In the face of darkness, she shows up in light and in love. When they go low, she goes high. Again and again. She works tirelessly - and often quietly - for the causes she believes in. She writes her own speeches. She and Harry are an incredible team. They are dedicating their lives to lifting up and amplifying those who do not have a voice for themselves.’

Daniel Martin

Meghan’s long standing make-up artist Daniel Martin, who took charge of her make-up on her wedding day, included a poem from Maya Angelou on his Instagram, showing his true support for the couple and belief in their strength of characters: “You may write me down in history with your bitter, twisted lies, you may trod me in the very dirt. But still, like dust, I’ll rise”.

Jessica Mulroney

The fashion stylist and lifetime friend of Meghan’s spoke in awe and admiration of her on Instagram: ‘I don’t know that anyone has ever had to deal with the pressure, the politics and the press like this woman. In the face of it all, I have never seen her waver from kindness, empathy and love.’

Chrissy Tiegen

Meghan gained solidarity from model, TV presenter and author Chrissy Tiegen, speaking out about miscarriage. She ranted on Twitter with: ‘this meghan markle s**t is hitting too close to home for me. These people won’t stop until she miscarries. F****** stop it.’

Lindsay Roth

TV producer, actress and author Lindsay Roth has been a close friend of Meghan’s since they met at North-western University. The pair have known each other for 22 years and Meghan was maid of honour at her wedding. Roth voiced her support on Instagram, posting a long commentary: ‘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… She's funny. Like, laugh out loud funny. And smart. She’s more than just a cover story.’

Janina Gavankar

Actress Janina Gavankar took to Twitter, expressing her admiration for Meghan having the courage to speak out: ‘I have known Meghan for 17 years. 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.’

Billie Jean King

Former World No. 1 champion and tennis icon Billie Jean King spoke out in praise of Meghan speaking openly about her mental health. She tweeted: ‘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.’

Bernice King

Bernice King, youngest daughter of Martin Luther King Jr., reacted with great support to Meghan, with a simple but powerful tweet: ‘I’m grateful that Meghan Markl is still here.’

Gabriella Union- Wade

Actress Gabriella Union-Wade posted a throwback photo on her Instagram, which pictured herself with husband Dwayne alongside Meghan. She captioned the photo: ‘I hope we all continue to rally around women who dare to stand up for themselves and others. We see you, we support you, we got your back.’

Amanda Gorman

On Twitter, the US first National Youth Poet Laureate Amanda Gorman was fully behind the duchess. ‘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.’ She also tweeted: ‘Unclear if this will change the royal family, but Meghan’s strength will certainly redefine family elsewhere. Think of women who will be inspired to stand up for their lives, the partners who will be kinder & more courageous that the kin they were born into.’

Leslie Jordan

American actor Leslie Jordan shared a video on his Instagram, saying ‘We’ve got your back’.

Meena Harris

Kamala Harris’ niece Meena asserted her support on Twitter, posting: ‘HAPPY MEGHAN MARKLE APPRECIATION DAY’.

Elaine Hendrix

Actress Elaine Hendrix (known for her role as Meredith in The Parent Trap) displayed her love for Harry and Meghan on Twitter: ‘I’m full on wishing Meghan & Harry were my parents right now’. She later tweeted: ‘Okay, Meghan & Harry clearly can’t be my parents. I’ll settle for besties’.

Hugh Jackman

Actor Hugh Jackman recommended his followers on Twitter watch Meghan and Harry’s ‘courageous interview’, applauding their courage and strength to speak out: ‘When someone’s brave enough to ask for help, we must listen.’

Andy Cohen

American TV producer, talk show host and writer Andy Cohen stuck up to the couple on Twitter with: ‘Fully on the Sussex’s side here & so happy they made the break!’

Hilary Clinton

Former US Secretary of State Hilary Clinton backed Meghan and Harry during a Washington Post Live event. She criticised the Palace and the Press saying: ‘their cruelty in going after Meghan was just outrageous. And the fact she did not get more support, that the reaction was, you know, 'just let's just paper it over and pretend that it didn't happen,' or 'it will go away, just keep your head down.' Well, you know, this young woman was not about to keep her head down. This is 2021.’

Sarah Silverman

US actress Sarah Silverman shared her support for Meghan, tweeting: ‘Harry should take Meghan’s last name’.

Jameela Jamil

British radio presenter and activist Jameela Jamil has shown comradeship to Harry and Meghan, applauding their courage for standing up and speaking out against the royal family. Ahead of the interview earlier this week she tweeted: ‘UK media tomorrow trying to pretend today’s interview was offensive, when actually it was pretty dignified and protective over those who did the worst.’

Matt Haig

British author and journalist Matt Haig has spoken out on his Instagram about the interview, showing support for Meghan in opening up about her truth and criticising those who have disregarded her struggle with mental health. His posts included: ‘She is the most trolled figure in the entire world. And for what? For being a person with the tenacity to be her actual non-offensive self. Tell your truth. Tell it your way. Tell it even when people don’t want to hear it.’

Lily Allen

Singer Lily Allen tweeted: ‘The Royal Family sound a lot like the Music Industry’. She likened the two, showing her support for Meghan: ‘Artists going to HR at a major label would be met with exactly the same response as Meghan, “not an employee, not our problem”’. She also spoke out against Piers Morgan and his attacks on the interview.

Leigh-Anne Pinnock

Little Mix singer Leigh-Anne spoke up about race and gender on her Instagram account, praising Meghan’s ‘strength and determination for speaking out on her experiences showing the underlying racism lying within the royal establishment.’ She continued to praise Harry ‘for standing by his wife and child and being brave enough to say enough is enough, we’re out.’

Gary Lineker

Former England footballer and now sports broadcaster Gary Lineker joked on Twitter: ‘Think it’s outrageous of Harry and Meghan to do an interview that’s transmitted at such a delicate time. Surely they could have waited for the Leeds West Ham game to finish.’ He did then go on to show his support however, tweeting: ‘This is much more hard hitting than I thought it would be. Lots of tough questions being asked, but they’re standing their ground and their defence seems reasonable to me.’