In a moment that many are calling one of the most cringeworthy revelations of 2024, ESPN producer Bill Simmons recently made a baffling comment regarding Meghan Markle’s pre-royal days.

During a podcast episode, Simmons described the former actress as “obtainable” during her time on the hit show Suits.

This offhand remark has ignited a heated debate about Markle’s extraordinary journey from a supporting character on cable television to a prominent figure in the British royal family.

Let’s take a trip back to 2014.

At that time, Meghan Markle was portraying Rachel Zane on USA Network’s legal drama, Suits.

While she was certainly not yet a household name, Simmons seemed to suggest that she was just waiting to be discovered by some average Joe rather than a casting director.

However, the reality is far more complex.

Markle was already laying the groundwork for what would become her most significant role: a global influencer and humanitarian.

During this period, Markle was not just an actress; she was actively cultivating her public persona through her lifestyle blog, The Tig, which showcased her aspirational yet relatable glamour.

She was attending high-profile events, expanding her social network, and honing her networking skills long before she caught the attention of Prince Harry.

The notion that she was “obtainable” feels particularly tone-deaf, especially considering her strategic approach to relationships and career.

Simmons’s comments inadvertently reveal a common misunderstanding of Markle’s narrative.

Long before she became the Duchess of Sussex, she was carefully positioning herself for greater ambitions.

Her role on Suits was more than just a job; it served as a launching pad for her future endeavors.

The idea that she was passively waiting to be discovered overlooks the fact that she was actively choosing her path and the people she wanted in her life.

Every appearance, every brand she cultivated, and every connection she made seemed like a calculated move on a complex chessboard.

By 2014, Markle had already begun distancing herself from earlier career choices, such as her role as a briefcase girl on Deal or No Deal.

She was crafting a sophisticated image that would later transition smoothly into her work as a humanitarian advocate.

Simmons’s comment also sheds light on broader societal perceptions of actresses in Hollywood.

The assumption that a working actress on a cable show could be viewed as obtainable reflects a deeper misunderstanding of the power dynamics within the entertainment industry.

It reduces Markle to a mere object, a perspective that many find deeply troubling, particularly given her status as a woman of color navigating a predominantly white institution.

Ironically, Simmons’s remarks come at a time when Markle has proven just how unobtainable she truly is.

Her journey from cable television to the British monarchy demonstrates her skillful manipulation of media narratives and her ability to position herself as a global influencer.

Each of her ventures—be it Netflix documentaries, Spotify deals, or children’s books—illustrates a woman who fully understands her worth and knows how to leverage it.

What stands out in this entire episode is how it reflects the very attitudes Markle has fought against.

The suggestion that she was ever merely obtainable undermines her professional achievements and the hard work she has put into her career.

It embodies the reductive thinking she has spoken out against in her advocacy work post-royalty.

This story goes beyond Simmons’s misguided remark; it highlights the stark contrast between public perception and personal ambition.

It reveals how a seemingly innocuous comment can expose the machinery behind a carefully constructed public image.

As Markle continues to navigate her post-royal life, launching projects and maintaining her global presence, Simmons’s words serve as a reminder of the complexities of her journey.

In a world where Meghan Markle has transformed from an actress to a powerful global figure, the idea that she was ever obtainable seems laughable.

She has orchestrated one of the most dramatic social ascents of our time, proving that the woman who was once viewed as a commodity is anything but.

The fallout from Simmons’s comment has been swift and unforgiving.

As the audio clip circulated on social media, public outrage erupted.

Many criticized the underlying sexism and racism in viewing Markle as an object to be obtained, further complicating the already contentious narrative surrounding her.

As we reflect on this incident, it becomes clear that Meghan Markle’s story is not just about her rise to royalty but about challenging outdated perceptions of women in the public eye.

Her journey is a testament to resilience and ambition, reminding us that the narrative we often see is only part of a much larger picture.