CELEBRITY
Meghan Markle talked about being ‘one of the most bullied people in the world’ during surprise visit with teens
Meghan Markle recently spoke about being “one of the most bullied people in the world,” according to the founder of #HalfTheStory, a mental health advocacy group for teens.
Larissa May claimed to Vanity Fair in an interview published Friday that the Duchess of Sussex allegedly made the comment while participating in a screen-free day with young girls and teens at an event hosted by Girls Inc. of Greater Santa Barbara in partnership with #HalfTheStory on Oct. 2.
“We did an activity where we talked through a bunch of scenarios, and Meghan talked about being one of the most bullied people in the world,” the founder recalled.
We had girls wave these little emoji signs and talk about how each one of these scenarios would have impacted them emotionally.”
Page Six reached out to Markle and Prince Harry’s Archewell Foundation for comment but did not immediately hear back.
However, sources told The Post Friday that the “Suits” alum 43, “talked about her experience with online bullying but never claimed she was the most bullied person in the world.”
Markle began supporting #HalfTheStory in 2023 when it was named part of her and Harry’s Responsible Technology Youth Power Fund for their Archewell Foundation.
According to Archewell’s website, #HalfTheStory provides programming that discusses body image, friendships, healthy digital habits and safety from sexual predators.
The site adds, “Programming will emphasize online safety education, responsible social media engagement, and mental health support, equipping girls with the tools to navigate their environment confidently and resiliently.”
Describing last week’s event with Markle further, May told Vanity Fair, “We really wanted to make sure that the teens at #HalfTheStory were able to give their input on the type of experience that we would create.
“Ultimately, we thought the best way to do that was to create a space of vulnerability.”
Markle has certainly been vulnerable when discussing her mental health over the years. In 2021, she even revealed she had suicidal thoughts while working as a member of the British Royal Family.
In August, Markle resurfaced her past suicidal ideation while discussing how online bullying impacts young kids, saying she hadn’t even “really scraped the surface” on her own experience.
I do think that I would never want someone else to feel that way. And I would never want someone else to be making those sort of plans. And I would never want someone else to not be believed,” the duchess added in an interview with “CBS Sunday Morning” at the time.
Markle and Harry, 40, launched The Parents’ Network — which supports parents who lost children directly or indirectly over online bullying — in August as well.
The couple also visited Colombia over the summer, and part of their tour focused on putting a spotlight on initiatives that protect children from online harm.