The world of celebrity podcasts is never short on drama, and the latest controversy involves none other than the Duchess of Sussex, Meghan Markle, and her Spotify podcast “Archetypes.” A blogger named Brooke Kelly, known as BK, has filed a $1.5 million defamation lawsuit against Meghan, alleging that comments made on the podcast were harmful to her reputation.
The roots of the dispute can be traced back to a conversation Meghan had on her podcast with actress Pamela Adlon, where they discussed the complex and often derogatory term “diva.” While Meghan did not explicitly mention BK by name, the blogger claims that the discussion was clearly referencing a previous disagreement the two had on social media about the usage of the word. BK contends that Meghan’s words on the podcast were defamatory, causing her emotional distress and damaging her reputation.
It’s a bold move, taking on a member of the royal family, but BK seems to believe she has a strong case. The timeline and details provided during the “Archetypes” episode do appear to point to BK as the subject of the discussion. Meghan spoke about a disagreement she had with someone on social media regarding the word “diva,” noting that the person had accused her of being a diva. This aligns with BK’s own account of a past interaction with Meghan, where the blogger had criticized the Duchess for her perceived “diva-like” behavior.
BK maintains that she was simply providing constructive feedback, not making a personal attack. However, Meghan saw things differently. On the podcast, she explained her perspective, stating, “I’m not a diva. I’m really not. Like, I’m a woman who is 40 years old and has finally found her voice.” She went on to discuss the harmful stereotypes and double standards women face when they dare to be assertive or stand up for themselves.
While Meghan didn’t explicitly name BK, legal experts believe that the contextual details provided could allow a reasonable listener to identify the blogger as the person Meghan was referring to. This could potentially give BK’s defamation case some weight, as “if the podcast episode in question contained enough identifying information about BK, then she may have a viable claim for defamation,” explains media law professor Sarah Jones.
The outcome of the lawsuit is far from certain, however. Meghan’s legal team will undoubtedly argue that the podcast discussion was a general commentary on the issues women face, not a targeted attack on BK. They may also claim that the blogger’s reputation was not significantly damaged or that Meghan’s statements were simply her honest opinions, which are protected under the law.
This is not the first time Meghan has found herself embroiled in a legal battle. Her previous lawsuit against a British tabloid for invasion of privacy resulted in a substantial payout, demonstrating her willingness to fiercely defend her reputation and public image. However, this case presents a unique challenge, as the prospect of being sued for simply discussing societal issues related to women and labels could have a chilling effect on the type of content she’s able to produce on her podcast.
As media law expert JN Cha notes, “This lawsuit represents a real test for the boundaries of free speech, especially when it comes to public figures discussing social issues.” Meghan will have to walk a fine line in her defense, acknowledging BK’s right to her own reputation while also preserving her ability to have candid discussions on her show.
Ultimately, this saga speaks to the high-stakes world of celebrity, social media, and the complexities of defamation law. As the case progresses, all eyes will be on how Meghan navigates this latest legal hurdle, with her legions of supporters and critics alike eager to see how the “Archetypes” drama unfolds.
