Meghan talks with Serena Williams about her Compton roots in her new podcast Archetypes.
When Prince Harry first began dating Meghan Markle, the Daily Mail headlined, “Harry’s new girl is (almost) straight outta Compton.” The subhead read, “Her mother’s gang-scarred home revealed – will he be dropping by for tea?” This headline and story were widely panned for their racism, and Prince Harry has spoken out about Meghan’s racist treatment at the start of their relationship.
“My biggest regret is not taking a stronger stance earlier in my marriage with my wife and calling out racism when I did,” he said in The Me You Can’t See. “The past was repeating itself. My mother was murdered because she was in a relationship with someone who was not white.”
Meghan, on the other hand, has never really addressed the tabloid coverage she received—until now, when she joked with her friend Serena Williams on her new podcast Archetypes.
Meghan tells Serena, “Although, this morning I was saying to Harry, I said, Do you remember, one of those?” as they discuss how they were both the same age growing up in Los Angeles. (“Those,” in reference to tabloid coverage.)
Serena then jokes, “For the record, I grew up in Compton!” “And I was about to say when they said, Harry’s girl is straight outta Compton, I was like, are they talking about Serena?” Meghan responds.
Here’s the rest of the conversation:
MEGHAN: And when they said, Harry’s girl is straight outta Compton, I thought, are they talking about Serena?
SERENA: That’s because he’s my guy. You are aware.
MEGHAN: You adore redheads. And I say, “I’m not from Compton.” I’ve never been to Compton. My mother does not reside in Compton. But, by the way, what’s the matter with Compton? Serena, my girl, is from there!
SERENA: I was like, “Wait a minute.” And I have to say, I’m very proud to be from Compton. You know, like Dr. Dre is from Compton. What is his given name? Kevin is an actor. Cont. Kevin Uh, no… No! Oh my goodness, what a mess. I’m going blank.
MEGHAN: I don’t believe Kevin Costner was born in Compton.
SERENA: Kevin Costner grew up in Compton!
MEGHAN: He isn’t.
SERENA: Yes, he is. He is, indeed. Look it up! [laughter]
MEGHAN: Oh my goodness, that’s insane!
SERENA: He even mentions it! Isn’t it amazing? I’m all like yasss! It’s really cool. That is, unfortunately, not possible.
MEGHAN: I don’t think I can claim Compton. But I adore it…
In this, they subtly criticise the Daily Mail for portraying being from Compton as a negative trait. “I’m so proud to be from Compton,” Serena says. And the fact that white actors, such as Yellowstone’s Kevin Costner, are from Compton should come as no surprise.
Meghan’s podcast’s stated goal is to “dissect, explore, and subvert the labels that attempt to hold women back.” Mariah Carey, Robin Thede, Margaret Cho, Allison Yarrow, Amanda Seales, Mindy Kaling, and Ziwe Fumudoh will appear in future episodes.
