Meghan Markle’s actions during her time with Spotify and her interactions with employees have been analyzed in a new Vanity Fair cover story by Anna Peele. The piece delves into Meghan’s past and suggests her behavior may stem from unresolved trauma.
The writer explored Meghan’s commitment to philanthropy and personal branding, questioning how someone so dedicated to kindness and world-improvement could sometimes appear at odds with her own values.
“It’s hard to imagine how someone who seems so earnestly intent on being kind and engaging in world-improving (if also brand-building) activities could wind up engaging in revanchism with people so below her in status,” Peele wrote.
The article linked Meghan’s past experiences to her present behavior, referencing an episode of her Archetypes podcast with Mindy Kaling. During the discussion, Meghan shared that she had been “shy” and a “loner” in school, often eating lunch alone. To Peele, this revealed a deeper layer: “In other words, Meghan was a good person trying to do good things in spite of—and at times because of—unkind people.”
One anecdote from the article detailed a former employee’s “terrible experience” with Meghan but noted that the Duchess later sent a thank-you note and gift. This instance exemplified the complicated dynamics between Meghan’s past experiences and her interactions in professional settings.
Peele reflected on the lasting impact of trauma on Meghan’s worldview. “Is it any surprise that a sense of victimhood and righteousness could continue to exist in a person who had been treated so horribly by the press and her husband’s family?” the writer posed.
She added that Meghan might view perceived adversaries—whether members of the media, podcast professionals or estranged family members—as obstacles to her goals. Despite Meghan’s immense fame and privilege, Peele suggested that lingering feelings of being overshadowed or misunderstood could inform her responses to conflict.
The article posed a provocative thought: “Then perhaps a thought or argument came along, like ‘then whatever happened to them, well…they shouldn’t have gotten between Meghan and her good work.’” The piece concluded by noting that trauma, as Prince Harry himself has discussed, can warp one’s perspective. Meghan’s story, as told through Peele’s lens, offers a nuanced look at how past wounds may continue to influence her present actions, even as she strives to build a better future.