Meghan Markle has found her way into yet another high-profile project, this time a tribute celebrating Black women, spearheaded by none other than her close friend, Tyler Perry.
The project features some of the most influential and accomplished women in history—Beyoncé, Oprah Winfrey, Maya Angelou, and Queen Latifah—figures who have genuinely made their mark. Yet somehow, Meghan has managed to insert herself into the mix, much like an uninvited guest slipping into an exclusive event. The tribute is a powerful montage of images honoring Black excellence, showcasing icons such as Nina Simone, Kamala Harris, and everyday women making a difference.
It was meant to be an inspiring and empowering showcase, but then, out of nowhere, Meghan appears. And what image did she contribute? The same heavily airbrushed photo from her failed Archetypes podcast. Because nothing quite embodies Black empowerment like a multimillionaire who leveraged her royal status to secure a Spotify deal—only to lose it.
Tyler Perry shared the promotional clip for BLK WMN, a song by Lei, on Instagram, featuring the montage of influential Black women. The response was overwhelmingly positive, with praise flooding the comments. However, what stood out was the fact that no one seemed to acknowledge Meghan’s inclusion. It was as if she had strategically positioned herself at the forefront, much like the eager child pushing to the front of a school photo, hoping no one questions their presence. And when all else fails, there’s always the fallback strategy—playing the race card and riding the wave.
Another glaring issue is the project’s narrow scope—why does it exclusively focus on Black American women? There are remarkable Black women all over the world, yet Perry’s selection suggests that only America matters. The oversight is almost comical. Equally questionable is Meghan’s fluctuating relationship with her Black identity. For years, she barely acknowledged it while climbing Hollywood’s social ladder, yet now, it has become a key part of her narrative. She has mastered the art of ambiguity, never outright declaring, “I am Black,” but instead crafting statements like, “I wasn’t treated as Black until I went to the UK.” What does that even mean? The vagueness serves a purpose—it allows her to shape the conversation in whatever way benefits her most. Being a woman of color doesn’t automatically make someone a trailblazer, and in Meghan’s case, it often seems more like opportunism than authenticity.
After weeks of relative silence, she has launched a full-fledged PR blitz, making up for lost time with a string of calculated appearances and media placements. In a matter of days, expect a fresh wave of carefully crafted headlines, promotional deals, and grandstanding at the Invictus Games. Her decision to name Tyler Perry as her child’s godfather wasn’t rooted in deep moral admiration—it was a strategic move. His wealth, influence, and access to Black Hollywood provided Meghan with the relevance she had long ignored when it suited her ambitions.
Despite her ongoing attempts to position herself as a cultural figure, there’s nothing particularly groundbreaking about Meghan Markle’s achievements. She wasn’t a major star before marrying into royalty, she hasn’t shattered any barriers, and her contributions to Black culture are negligible at best. Instead, she has systematically alienated her own family, distanced herself from the British royal family, and even burned bridges in Hollywood—most recently with her Spotify bosses.
This is not some historic recognition of an extraordinary legacy. Meghan Markle is not Rosa Parks, she is not Michelle Obama, and she isn’t even Quinta Brunson. She is simply someone who married into wealth, capitalized on her newfound status, and now reinvents her story whenever the spotlight starts to fade. When it suits her, she proudly embraces her Black heritage; when it doesn’t, she seamlessly blends into the role of a European socialite. At the end of the day, Meghan Markle’s identity—like her public persona—is whatever benefits her most at any given moment.
