NEWS

Priyanka Chopra Shut Down Wendy Williams for Calling Meghan Markle “Prince Harry’s Girlfriend”

Priyanka Chopra shut down Wendy Williams when she referred to Meghan Markle only as “Prince Harry’s girlfriend.”


Priyanka Chopra
Raymond Hall/Getty Images

Sure most of the world only became acutely acquainted with Meghan Markle through her high-profile relationship with Prince Harry, but that still doesn’t mean one should refer to her only as the royal family member’s lovely girlfriend. Priyanka Chopra, a good friend of Markle’s knows that all too well, and is willing to unapologetically clap back if anyone thinks differently.

During a recent appearance on The Wendy Williams Show—where Chopra discussed everything from the Bollywood industry to her new villainous role in Baywatch—Williams not-so-subtly brought up that Chopra was close with Markle, whom Williams characterized as “Prince Harry’s girlfriend.” Chopra’s facial expressed immediately turned stern, and she responded with the following: “Also, Meghan Markle, actress, Suits, her achievements. Just saying.”

“OK, I understand that,” Williams retorted, continuing. “But do you think they’ll get married?” In slightly better spirits, Chopra responded: “I don’t know, I hope so. She seems happy…I think they look great together. High-profile relationships are so stressful anyway. As a friend, I wouldn’t want to add to that at all.” Pressing on even further, Williams asked if Chopra would serve as a bridesmaid if a royal wedding between the two ever took place. “I don’t think I’m that close to her,” Chopra said. “I’ve known her about two years now, we randomly met at a party and got on really well. So I don’t know if I’ll get an invite, if I’m even invited.”

Besides her best-known screen role in the U.S. legal drama Suits, Markle is a Global Ambassador for World Vision Canada, and frequently works as an advocate for the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women. Recently, she even penned a moving essay about what it’s like to be a biracial woman in Hollywood. “I took an African-American studies class at Northwestern where we explored colorism; it was the first time I could put a name to feeling too light in the black community, too mixed in the white community,” she wrote. “For castings, I was labeled ‘ethnically ambiguous.’ Was I Latina? Sephardic? ‘Exotic Caucasian’?…add the freckles to the mix and it created quite the conundrum.”

So, she’s certainly a lot more than just a girlfriend.

And, after that defense, maybe we wouldn’t be surprise if Chopra ends up getting an invitation to the wedding. Should it happen, of course.

Related: Priyanka Chopra Is Still Impressed by How Well Zac Efron Could Walk in Heels on the Set of Baywatch

Priyanka Chopra: “I Don’t Crush on People, They Crush on Me”:

Priyanka Chopra Gets Ready for Her First-Ever Altuzarra Show

Photo by Corey Tenold. Produced by Biel Parklee.
Photo by Corey Tenold. Produced by Biel Parklee.
Photo by Corey Tenold. Produced by Biel Parklee.
Photo by Corey Tenold. Produced by Biel Parklee.
Photo by Corey Tenold. Produced by Biel Parklee.
Photo by Corey Tenold. Produced by Biel Parklee.
Photo by Corey Tenold. Produced by Biel Parklee.
Photo by Corey Tenold. Produced by Biel Parklee.
Photo by Corey Tenold. Produced by Biel Parklee.
Photo by Corey Tenold. Produced by Biel Parklee.
Photo by Corey Tenold. Produced by Biel Parklee.
Photo by Corey Tenold. Produced by Biel Parklee.
Photo by Corey Tenold. Produced by Biel Parklee.
Photo by Corey Tenold. Produced by Biel Parklee.
Photo by Corey Tenold. Produced by Biel Parklee.
Photo by Corey Tenold. Produced by Biel Parklee.
Photo by Corey Tenold. Produced by Biel Parklee.
Photo by Corey Tenold. Produced by Biel Parklee.
Photo by Corey Tenold. Produced by Biel Parklee.
Photo by Corey Tenold. Produced by Biel Parklee.
Photo by Corey Tenold. Produced by Biel Parklee.
Photo by Corey Tenold. Produced by Biel Parklee.
Photo by Corey Tenold. Produced by Biel Parklee.
Photo by Corey Tenold. Produced by Biel Parklee.
Photo by Corey Tenold. Produced by Biel Parklee.
Photo by Corey Tenold. Produced by Biel Parklee.
Photo by Corey Tenold. Produced by Biel Parklee.
Photo by Corey Tenold. Produced by Biel Parklee.
Photo by Corey Tenold. Produced by Biel Parklee.
1/29