Meghan Markle made a striking appearance at the 2024 Children's Hospital Los Angeles Gala, but one specific detail caught everyone’s attention—her dress.
She wore a red Carolina Herrera gown, a familiar sight because it was the same dress she had worn at a 2021 gala in New York. This choice might be Meghan's way of appearing relatable, showing the world that even a duchess can recycle her wardrobe. She confidently walked the red carpet, hand in hand with Alliance of Moms founder Kelly McKee Zajfen, ready to make an impression.
However, despite Meghan's efforts to dazzle, one peculiar thing was absent—her presence in any of the Instagram photos shared by Jimmy Kimmel’s wife, Molly McNearney. Meghan, it seems, was left out of the inner circle, and there's little photographic evidence she even attended the event. The gala, hosted by Jordana Brewster and Lisa Joyner, honored a variety of beloved figures, including television producer Chuck Lorre, boxing legend Sugar Ray Leonard and his wife Bernadette, and other major stars. The guest list was a who's who of Hollywood, with appearances from celebrities like Jamie Lee Curtis, Ke Huy Quan, and even Demi Lovato, who performed at the event.
What’s even more intriguing is that Kelly Zajfen, who walked the red carpet with Meghan, shared photos from Molly McNearney's Instagram account—and guess who was missing from all of them? That’s right, Meghan Markle. Perhaps Jimmy and Molly were too focused on the cause—children’s healthcare—to concern themselves with Meghan’s usual flair for spectacle. After all, Jimmy Kimmel and Molly McNearney have long been advocates for children’s healthcare, particularly due to their personal connection through their son’s heart condition. For them, this event wasn’t just another red carpet opportunity; it was a genuine mission.
It’s worth noting that Jimmy Kimmel has made jokes at Prince Harry’s expense in the past, so it’s unlikely he would go out of his way to warmly welcome Meghan Markle. There's also Jennifer Aniston to consider—Jimmy and Molly are great friends with her, and it’s no secret that Aniston isn’t particularly fond of Meghan.
As for Meghan’s red carpet appearance, the photos tell a fascinating story. She was pictured gripping Kelly Zajfen’s arm tightly, almost like a child holding onto a toy from a yard sale. Even though she had Kelly’s hand in hers, Meghan’s attention was fully directed at the cameras, not on her companion. There wasn’t much warmth or camaraderie between the two, but Meghan did manage to give a flawless mannequin-like performance—posing and smiling for the cameras without truly engaging with those around her.
Meanwhile, Kelly Zajfen appeared to be the real star of the evening, effortlessly polished with her hair and makeup on point, exuding her own unique vibe. Meghan, on the other hand, seemed almost bewildered, as if she couldn’t quite grasp why the spotlight wasn’t solely on her. Instead of dominating the red carpet, as she might have envisioned, Meghan spent much of the night in a kind of invisible status, likely due to Jimmy Kimmel and Molly McNearney's quiet sidestepping. Meghan may have shown up ready to play the lead role, but it seems the A-list crowd, led by Jimmy and Molly, wrote her out of the evening’s script entirely.
