Meghan Markle And The Celebrity Relatability Scam — Why Americans Aren’t Falling For It

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“I just want people to know that I’m a real person,” says Meghan Markle, the same person who tried to wipe out the British monarchy and then moved to a $15 million mansion in Montecito, California, where she pretended to make rainbow fruit platters for her kids and demanded she be announced as “the duchess of Sussex” before entering a room. Yes. So real. Maybe she just needs to “anchor into her own knowing” a little harder, as she says … whatever that means.

Stars—they’re (obsessed with being) just like us! Except they’re hardly ever real enough to be relatable. Apparently, something about falling into a daily routine with Oprah’s $3.2 billion fortune, Beyoncé’s $40 million private jet, or Jeff Bezos’ $500 million superyacht triggers amnesia about before-times spent comparing prices on grocery store toilet paper. 

McDonald’s CEO Chris Kempczinski recently highlighted the elite’s struggle to connect. Dubbing himself “Chris K” in a now-viral video launching the chain’s new Big Arch burger, the multi-millionaire unknowingly channeled Mr. Burns as he awkwardly handled what he referred to as the “product,” claiming it was his lunch as if he eats McDonald’s in real life. His dainty, Barbie-sized bite was the final nail in his counterfeit coffin. “We all know he probably chucked it after the camera stopped rolling,” posted a Redditor.

I’m riddled with second-hand embarrassment at these failed attempts to be human, but let’s be real: They’re also entertaining. It reminds me of the Steve Buscemi meme from “30 Rock,” where his old man undercover cop character—rocking a skateboard, hoodie, and “music band” tee—asks a group of high school students, “How do you do, fellow kids?” It’s almost a fetish for the ultra-wealthy to cosplay regular people. Like, hello, stop trying to co-op our normie lives, you guys.

Just check out the never-ending supply of GoFundMes posted by celebrities, desperate for us to understand that millionaire life is harder than we think and to donate our entire paychecks accordingly. And we enjoy no shortage of photoshoots from stars turning shopping for Cheetos at 7-Eleven into high fashion. Of course, who could forget the time Ellen DeGeneres compared quarantining in her multi-million dollar California home to “being in jail,” or the bit where Bill Gates guessed grocery prices on her show.

“When’s the last time that you have been at a supermarket?” DeGeneres asked.

“A long time ago,” Gates said.

Everyone laughed. Not pictured: the staff who keep both of their home fridges stocked.

Did anyone believe that Senator Elizabeth Warren drank beer when she popped one open on Instagram after announcing her 2020 run for president? (It got worse when her husband told her, “Enjoy your beer.”) Elsewhere in politics, during his recent book tour, California Governor Gavin Newsom assured Katie Couric, “I am who I am. You don’t have to like me.” Mkay, says the guy trying to convince regular Americans to like him by claiming he used to eat Wonder Bread and mac and cheese and got a 960 on his SATs. (Look away from the photo where he casually wears a Burberry scarf in college.)

Politicians get a pass for just trying to win votes, but tone-deaf celebrities selling merch feels personal. Hey, if I’m gonna shell out $350 for your complete line of jams, candles, and edible flower sprinkles, I want to believe we could hang out in real life.

Sorry not sorry for dunking on Meghan Markle, duchess of Southern California, but she commits this crime like it’s her brand. Her Netflix series, “With Love, Meghan,” portrayed the daily goings-on of a domestic goddess happily tending to her loving family, when in her personal life, Meghan ditched her first husband and most of her relatives at the first whiff of fame and money. She said she had no idea who Prince Harry was, even though she was already buds with Princess Eugenie before dating him; she alleged she was suffocated by royal fashion protocol in England, and yet she copied Princess Diana’s look any chance she got.

I admit that I hate-subscribe to her newsletter. But that’s where she encourages us normal folk to create a centering moment for ourselves with her overpriced As Ever tea and bespoke honey, marveling at the pitter-patter of our children’s precious little feet—as if she does this herself, without the benefit of nannies to put those little feet to bed while she practices her twee calligraphy. 

This bounty on human connection comes from the magic in recognizing yourself in someone else. Psychological studies prove that we’re more attracted to the perceived warmth and openness of truth tellers we believe, versus scam artists we don’t. Of course, most celebrities are probably caught somewhere in between posting aspirational lifestyle content and blowing their own mysterious allure via oversharing—all for the sake of genuinely connecting with fans.

Maybe it’s the denser atmosphere down here on planet Earth, but we can spot A-list bull honky from a mile away. But the real key to connecting with us normies isn’t relatability; it’s authenticity. Need proof? Instead of pretending not to be a flashy billionaire, then-presidential candidate Donald Trump offered kids rides in his $7 million helicopter at the 2015 Iowa State Fair.

“You don’t think this is a little much?” ABC News reporter Martha Raddatz asked, over the squeals of delighted children.

“It’s me. I am who I am,” Trump replied.

Real and relatable.

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The views expressed in this piece are those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of The Daily Wire.