What was intended to be a light-hearted segment on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon took an unexpected and dramatic turn when actor and former professional wrestler Dave Bautista, who was part of the audience, unleashed a fiery confrontation against Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex.
The trouble began when Fallon invited Bautista, who had been eagerly participating in the show's audience games, to join him on stage. As Bautista made his way to the stage, his enthusiasm was evident. However, upon taking his seat, the 53-year-old Guardians of the Galaxy star abruptly directed an accusatory finger at Meghan Markle, who was also present that evening.
"Hey, you!" Bautista's voice boomed through the studio. "Yeah, you, Meghan Markle. I've got something to say to you, and you'd better listen up." The studio fell silent, stunned by Bautista’s unexpected outburst. Fallon, caught off guard, attempted to diffuse the tension. "Whoa, whoa, Dave, let's keep this friendly," he said with a nervous laugh.
But Bautista was unrelenting. He turned to Fallon and growled, "Stay out of this, Jimmy. This is between me and the Duchess of Delusion over there." Meghan, seated in the front row, looked visibly uncomfortable as all eyes turned towards her. Despite the mounting tension, she maintained her composure and addressed Bautista calmly. "I’m not sure what I’ve done to upset you, Mr. Bautista, but I’m open to having a respectful discussion if you’d like to address whatever is on your mind."
Bautista, however, was not in the mood for diplomacy. He slammed his fist on the table and shouted, "Discuss? Discuss? You want to discuss, huh? Well, let me tell you something, sweetheart: I don’t want to discuss a damn thing with you. In fact, I have one simple message for you: Shut your mouth."
The audience gasped in shock, and Fallon’s eyes widened as he tried to regain control of the situation. "Dave, come on, let’s keep this civil," Fallon pleaded. But Bautista remained defiant. He stood up, looming over Meghan with his towering presence and casting a shadow over her. "You hear me, Meghan?" he growled, his face just inches from hers. "Shut your mouth, you ugly man. That’s all I’ve got to say to you."
To her credit, Meghan remained calm and composed in the face of Bautista’s aggression. "I’m sorry you feel that way, Mr. Bautista," she responded with measured dignity. "However, I won’t be silenced, nor will I apologize for speaking my truth."
Bautista let out a derisive snort. "Your truth, huh? Well, let me tell you something about the truth, sweetheart. The truth is, nobody cares what you have to say. You’re just a privileged, attention-seeking brat who can’t keep her mouth shut, no matter how much the rest of us wish you would."
The audience erupted into gasps and murmurs, clearly taken aback by Bautista’s scathing remarks about the Duchess. Fallon, sensing the situation was spiraling out of control, intervened. "All right, that’s enough," he said firmly. "Dave, I think it’s time for you to take your seat, and we’ll move on with the show. Let’s keep this light-hearted, shall we?"
Bautista reluctantly returned to his seat but not before pointing a beefy finger at Meghan and growling, "Mark my words, Duchess, you better learn to keep your trap shut or you’re going to regret it." Meghan, maintaining her poise, simply shook her head and turned her attention back to the stage, refusing to engage further.
The remainder of the segment proceeded without incident, but the tension in the room was palpable. The audience was left wondering what could have triggered such a dramatic outburst from the usually affable Bautista. As the show came to a close, Fallon addressed the audience with a nervous chuckle. "Well folks, I think it’s safe to say we didn’t see that one coming," he said. "But you know what they say: The show must go on. Thanks for tuning in, and we’ll see you next time."
As the cameras stopped rolling, Bautista was seen storming out of the studio, muttering under his breath. Meghan, meanwhile, remained composed and unfazed by the actor’s tirade. Only time will tell if this incident will have any lasting repercussions, but it is undoubtedly a moment that will be etched in the memories of everyone who witnessed it.
