And this week, the royal came face to face with her own misconceptions about the word “diva,” when self-proclaimed diva Mariah Carey used the term to describe the Duchess of Sussex in real time.
During a conversation on the second episode of Meghan’s new Archewell Audio and Spotify series, Carey said that she sometimes uses the term “diva” for “laughs,” before praising the royal as a “diva” in her own right ― leaving Meghan confused.
Advertisement
“I think that’s really important for people to remember ― that there might be this persona, and yes, the ‘diva’ thing we can play into,” Meghan said during the chat.
“I mean, it’s not something I connect to, but for you, it’s been a huge part of your ―” the royal started to say, before the singer interjected.
“You give us diva moments sometimes, Meghan,” Carey said. “Don’t even act like...”
“I do? What kind of diva moments do I give you?” the duchess asked, laughing.
“The visual, a lot of it’s the visual,” Carey said.
“Oh, it’s the look,” Meghan replied. “See, that’s the thing ― I associate it differently.”
“Well, I know,” the “Always Be My Baby” singer continued. “But let’s pretend that you weren’t so beautiful and didn’t have the whole thing and didn’t often have gorgeous ensembles ― you wouldn’t maybe get as much ‘diva’ stuff.”
Advertisement
At the end of the podcast, Meghan explained how she’d felt in the moment when Carey described her as a “diva.”
“It was all going swimmingly ― I mean, really well ― until that moment happened,” Meghan said. “I don’t know about you, but it stopped me in my tracks when she called me a diva.”
“You couldn’t see me, obviously, but I started to sweat a little bit. I started squirming in my chair in this quiet revolt,” she went on. “That’s not true! Why would you say that? My mind genuinely was just spinning with what nonsense [Carey] must have read or clicked on to make her say that.”
“I just kept thinking in that moment, Was my girl crush coming to a quick demise? Does she actually not see me?” the royal said.
Advertisement
But Meghan explained that she eventually realized Carey was paying her a compliment.
“She must have felt my nervous laughter, and you all would have heard it too. And she jumped right in to make sure I was crystal clear,” Meghan said. “She meant it as ‘chic,’ as ‘aspirational.’”
“She meant ‘diva’ as a compliment, but I heard it as a dig,” Meghan said.
The Duchess of Sussex’s first Spotify project is expected to include 12 episodes in total. The first episode featured tennis icon Serena Williams, a friend of the former “Suits” actor.
Next week, audiences will get to hear from actor, writer and producer Mindy Kaling, who was featured in a clip at the end of Tuesday’s episode.
Not all of the guests have been revealed, but audiences can also expect to hear from talk show host and comedian Ziwe Fumudoh, who was heard in a clip during the first episode.
Advertisement
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
It's Another Trump-Biden Showdown — And We Need Your Help
The Future Of Democracy Is At Stake
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
Your Loyalty Means The World To Us
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
The 2024 election is heating up, and women's rights, health care, voting rights, and the very future of democracy are all at stake. Donald Trump will face Joe Biden in the most consequential vote of our time. And HuffPost will be there, covering every twist and turn. America's future hangs in the balance. Would you consider contributing to support our journalism and keep it free for all during this critical season?
HuffPost believes news should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their ability to pay for it. We rely on readers like you to help fund our work. Any contribution you can make — even as little as $2 — goes directly toward supporting the impactful journalism that we will continue to produce this year. Thank you for being part of our story.
It's official: Donald Trump will face Joe Biden this fall in the presidential election. As we face the most consequential presidential election of our time, HuffPost is committed to bringing you up-to-date, accurate news about the 2024 race. While other outlets have retreated behind paywalls, you can trust our news will stay free.
But we can't do it without your help. Reader funding is one of the key ways we support our newsroom. Would you consider making a donation to help fund our news during this critical time? Your contributions are vital to supporting a free press.
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. Would you consider becoming a regular HuffPost contributor?
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. If circumstances have changed since you last contributed, we hope you'll consider contributing to HuffPost once more.