Katherine Ryan sets record straight after Meghan Markle remark was ‘weaponised’

Katherine Ryan has clarified criticism she made about Meghan Markle’s latest Netflix show after it was ‘weaponised.’

The comedian, 41, said the reporting of her comments about With Love, Meghan was taken without context and failed to show the ‘balance’ in her opinion.

In response, Katherine has edited a new clip using her original quotes for her podcast, Telling Everybody Everything, to present the fullness of her perspective.

She begins by stating that she ‘liked’ and was ‘rooting’ for the Duchess of Sussex, 43, before addressing the racism and unconscious bias the former royal has experienced.

Katherine said: ‘There is an unconscious bias in this country and in most countries, really, that a lot of people don’t even realise that they have.

‘I think what feels gaslighting for someone like Meghan Markle, when she says, “Oh, I feel that I was victimised by institutionalised racism,” Then you have to believe her. Like, that is her experience, and it’s really weird for white people to be like, “No, you weren’t. We’re not racist, we just don’t like you.”

‘So I think this country does have institutionalized racism, yes, and unconscious bias, yes, not every single person, but a great many, yes. And to be someone with a mother who’s Black entering the Royal Family, I’m sure they had some feelings about that, because that’s the Royal Family.’

However, Katherine suggested that Meghan lacked a certain authenticity that is commonplace in Hollywood, claiming that she had ‘lied’ about her background.

She explained: ‘She is very Hollywood I see now and maybe it’s just the project she’s choosing.

‘It does feel like she has lied about whether she knew who Prince Harry was, and these like details about her childhood change.

‘Her whole act just seems like very manicured and very forced. And I’ve known a lot of Hollywood people. They’re not bad people. I certainly don’t think she’s a bad person.

‘But I think she likes cosying up to celebrities, and she wants the one million deal or 10, 100 million dollar deal like anyone would, and she likes the fact that she’s married to a prince.’

Katherine added: ‘I would rather someone lean into that and be like, “Oh my God, I used to be on Suits, and now I’m married to a Prince. Like, I would rather that than this act of like, “Oh, I’m just so humble.”‘

The Duchess star also claimed viewers were ‘hate-watching’ With Love, Meghan, which received largely negative reviews.

She said: ‘Who knows what Netflix are doing? Like they are smart. People are tuned in, whether they love something or hate something, whatever keeps them watching more episodes, and they’re posting loads about it online.

‘If this was Netflix’s intention to be like, let’s throw Meghan under the bus personally, where even the people who really liked her are sort of turning not against her, but this is just… She just doesn’t seem to be the kind of gal that I would want to be friends with. It’s too beige.

‘And this clip that’s going around where Mindy Kaling is in her kitchen, and Mindy’s like, “Oh, who would have thought that Meghan Markle eats at Jack in the Box.” And she’s like, “You know, I am Sussex now. My last name is Sussex, and it feels so wonderful to have the same last name as the Royal Family. I mean, my children.”

In her caption for the Instagram post to give a ‘better overview’, Katherine said she ‘liked’ Meghan but suggested she hire a new manager.

She wrote: ‘My libertarian husband tells me my comments about Meghan Sussex on this week’s podcast have been weaponized in tabloids and also on Elon Musk’s website. Here’s a better overview of what I actually said which I think is more balanced than what has been presented. I like her. I don’t like the cooking show. I just think maybe the girl needs a new manager. 🍰#tellingeverybodyeverything.’

In With Love Meghan,  the former Suits actress gives hosting tips and cooks with celebrity friends including The Office star Mindy Kaling.

The Duke of Sussex makes just one appearance at the end of the first season’s final episode when he joins Meghan, her mother Doria Ragland and friends for an outdoor celebratory brunch.

In conjugation with the eight-part series Meghan also aunched her lifestyle brand As Ever, with her website revealing her first products: raspberry jam, and the flower sprinkles she promotes throughout the show.

The Sussexes, who signed a multimillion-pound deal with Netflix in 2020, have previously put out the Harry & Meghan documentary, which features accusations against the royal family.

The second season of With Love, Meghan is coming in the autumn, and has already finished filming, according to Netflix.

With Love, Meghan is available to stream on Netflix.

Got a story?

If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.