The best gossip comes from the most unlikely of sources. And, today, it's from Shahs of Sunset star Nema Vand, who is spilling major details about his friendship with Meghan Markle. (We are one degree closer to Markle landing a spot on Real Housewives.)
Per Page Six, the Bravo celeb spoke out on the podcast “Reality Life with Kate Casey” about knowing the Duchess of Sussex in high school and how the future royal "toyed" with all the boys' hearts.
“I went to an all-boys high school, and one of our sister schools was Meghan Markle’s,” Vand said. “I grew up with her. We were friends for a long time. She was a year older than me. Meghan was amazing, a woman among girls. Everyone was in love with her. She was sweet, and very kind.”
He continued: “We admired her. She was a good friend.”
Fascinating. But then Vand let the major dirt slip, revealing that teenage Meghan Markle had serious, enviable game. (Stop reading here, Prince Harry.)
“She knew what she was doing,” he said. “We were at a party one time and she sat on my lap. She got nose to nose with me. For a 16-year-old guy, that is an emotional moment. She said to me in Farsi, ‘You are so beautiful.’ I asked her, ‘How do you know Farsi?’ She said, ‘I learned it for you.’ Then she walked away.”
Finally, finally, we know what kind of moves it takes to land an heir of a monarchy. Vand's hot goss also may explain that British twang Markle picked up during her time across the pond—she learned it for Harry!
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The reality star wasn't done spilling tea yet though. He also let it be known that he had as bone to pick with Markle, who he claims ghosted her high school boyfriend.
“My friend Gabe that I grew up with dated Meghan in high school and he says that after she got on Suits, they were friends for years, and afterwards he said she kind of ghosted him," he said. "It really hurt his feelings. I got the sense Gabe really valued her friendship. So Meghan, if you hear this, reach out to Gabe. You know who that is, and just right that ship.”
Now that Markle has moved to Vand's neck of the woods perhaps she'll reconnect with her high school buddies and old flames—if only to brush up on her Farsi.
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As Marie Claire’s Entertainment Director, Neha oversees and executes strategy for all editorial talent bookings and culture coverage across the brand's print and digital entities, including covers, celebrity profiles and features, social takeovers, and video franchises as well as handles talent relations for MC's flagship summit, Power Trip. She's passionate about elevating diverse voices and stories, loves a hot-take, and generally hates reboots. She's worked in media for more than 10 years and her bylines about pop culture, film & tv, and fashion have appeared on Glamour, Vanity Fair, GQ, Allure, Teen Vogue, Brides, and Architectural Digest. She is a graduate of the Columbia School of Journalism.
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