
- In the wake of Jessica Mulroney's recent white privilege scandal, her longtime friend Meghan Markle is reportedly "mortified."
- Mulroney seemed to reference Meghan at one point while defending herself and her actions.
- In the fallout of the incident, Mulroney's CTV series, I Do Redo, has been cancelled and she's been fired from Good Morning America.
Jessica Mulroney is still facing fallout for her inappropriate treatment of Black influencer Sasha Exeter, which many saw as epitomizing the problematic nature—not to mention the very real, harmful impact—of white privilege.
In case you missed the story in the onslaught of other important news that's constantly pouring in, here are the basics: Exeter, a Canadian lifestyle blogger, posted a general call-to-action for influencers to use their platforms to promote anti-racism. Mulroney, Exeter later explained in an Instagram video about the situation, seem to take offense to the post and proceeded contact brands to speak poorly of Exeter and discourage them from working with her.
"What happened next was a series of very problematic behavior and antics that ultimately resulted in [Mulroney] sending me a threat in writing last Wednesday," Exeter, who is Black, explained in her video post.
"Listen, I am by no means calling Jess a racist but what I will say is this, she is very well aware of her wealth, her perceived power and privilege because of the color of her skin. And that, my friends, gave her the momentary confidence to come for my livelihood in writing," she continued, saying Mulroney had used "textbook white privilege."
In the days that followed, Mulroney's CTV reality series, I Do Redo, was cancelled and news broke that she would no longer appear as a contributor on Good Morning America.
Mulroney has since announced her decision to step back from public life and to use this situation as an opportunity to reflect and grow, but before her decision to fully take a break from social media, she issued a series of explanations and apologies, including a public comment on Exeter's video that seemed to allude to her highly-publicized, longtime friendship with Meghan Markle.
"As I told you privately, I have lived a very public and personal experience with my closest friend where race was front and centre," she wrote. "It was deeply educational. I learned a lot from that."
March 9, 2020
Image 1 of 53Meghan and Prince Harry attend the Commonwealth Day Service at Westminster Abbey with all of the royal family. Meghan is wearing a custom Emilia Wickstead dress and carrying a Gabriela Hearst Demi bag; she's also wearing Birks earrings and Aquazzura heels.
March 9, 2020
Image 1 of 53Meghan and Prince Harry attend the Commonwealth Day Service at Westminster Abbey with all of the royal family. Meghan is wearing a custom Emilia Wickstead dress and carrying a Gabriela Hearst Demi bag; she's also wearing Birks earrings and Aquazzura heels.
March 8, 2020
Image 2 of 53The Duchess of Sussex visits the Robert Clack School for International Women's Day. Meghan is wearing a ME+EM jacket, a Cuyana T-shirt, a Rejina Pyo bag, and Jennifer Chamandi pumps.
March 7, 2020
Image 3 of 53Meghan arrives with Prince Harry at the Mountbatten Music Festival. She is wearing a Safiyaa dress, Simone Rocha earrings, and a Manolo Blahnik clutch.
March 5, 2020
Image 4 of 53Prince Harry and Meghan arrive to the Endeavour Fund Awards. The Duchess of Sussex is wearing a blue tonal look in a Victoria Beckham pencil dress, Manolo Blahnik pumps, a Jessica McCormack bracelet, and a Stella McCartney clutch.
January 7, 2020
Image 5 of 53Meghan Markle and Prince Harry arrive at Canada House in London for their first 2020 appearance. She is seen wearing a Reiss Coat, Massimo Dutti turtleneck and skirt, and Jimmy Choo Romy pumps.
November 9, 2019
Image 6 of 53Meghan steps out in a bespoke Erdem dress, her favorite Aquazzura heels, and Jessica McCormack earrings, for the Royal British Legion Festival of Remembrance at the Royal Albert Hall.
November 7, 2019
Image 7 of 53The Duchess of Sussex attends the 91st Field of Remembrance at Westminster Abbey. She wore a Sentaler coat, a Phillip Treacy hat, Tamara Mellon boots, and Dents gloves.
October 25, 2019
Image 8 of 53The Duke and Duchess of Sussex attend a panel discussion on gender equality with The Queen's Commonwealth Trust. Meghan is wearing a monochromatic look in a Joseph sweater, a Hugo Boss leather skirt, Sarah Flint pumps, and Emily Mortimer stud earrings.
October 22, 2019
Image 9 of 53Meghan Markle arrives to the One Young World Summit in an Aritzia dress paired with Manolo Blahnik pumps.
October 15, 2019
Image 10 of 53Meghan Markle recycles her engagement dress to WellChild Awards, a charity for seriously ill children and their families. She pairs her P.A.R.O.S.H. dress with a Sentaler coat and Montunas bag.
October 2, 2019
Image 11 of 53For a South African engagement to visit the Youth Employment Services in South Africa, the Duchess of Sussex steps out in Hannah Lavery shirt dress, Madewell earrings, and Stuart Weitzman pumps.
September 30, 2019
Image 12 of 53Meghan Markle steps out during a visit to Monwabisi Beach with Prince Harry. She paired her Madewell denim jacket with Brother Vellies Huarache sandals.
September 25, 2019
Image 13 of 53During the royal tour in South African, Meghan wore an Everlane black jumpsuit and Gas Bijoux gold statement earrings.
September 25, 2019
Image 14 of 53Meghan and Archie step out for Archie's first royal engagement during the tour in South Africa. She wore a Club Monaco dress and a pair of Jennifer Meyer turquoise earrings.
September 24, 2019
Image 15 of 53Meghan chose a Staud dress, Cuyana scarf and Sam Edelman flats for the visit at Auwal Mosque on Heritage Day with Prince Harry.
September 23, 2019
Image 16 of 53The Duke and Duchess of Sussex visit District 6 Museum in Cape Town, South Africa. Meghan wore a Veronica Beard blue button-down dress and Castañer espadrilles.
September 12, 2019
Image 17 of 53The Duchess Of Sussex attends the launch of the Smart Works Capsule Collection, while wearing a Misha Nonoo button-down and wearing butterfly earrings and a cuff that once belonged to Princess Diana.
July 14, 2019
Image 18 of 53The Duke and Duchess walk the red carpet for the Lion King premiere in London. Meghan wears a Jason Wu dress and Nikos Koulis earrings with a Gucci clutch.
July 13, 2019
Image 19 of 53The Duchess of Sussex enjoys Wimbledon in her Le Specs sunglasses and Jennifer Meyer earrings.
July 4, 2019
Image 20 of 53Meghan Markle attends Wimbledon to watch her friend Serena Williams. She wore her L'Agence blazer and Finlay sunglasses, and a delicate necklace with an A for Archie.
June 8, 2019
Image 21 of 53Meghan Markle steps out for her first royal appearance since giving birth. She attends the 2019 Trooping the Colour with Prince Harry in a Givenchy dress and hat by Noelle Stewart.
May 8, 2019
Image 22 of 53The Duke and Duchess of Sussex present their baby, Archie, to the world. She wears a Wales Bonner trench coat dress, Manolo Blahnik pumps, and Jennifer Meyer necklace.
March 19, 2019
Image 23 of 53Prince Harry and Meghan arrive at New Zealand House in London to pay tribute to the victims of the New Zealand terrorist attacks. Meghan wears a vintage black cape, Gucci clutch and Aquazzura black cut-out pumps.
March 11, 2019
Image 24 of 53Meghan wore a Victoria Beckham dress, coat, clutch, and shoes to the Commonwealth Day Service at Westminster Abbey.
March 11, 2019
Image 25 of 53The Duke and Duchess Of Sussex attend a Commonwealth Day youth event at Canada House. The Duchess wore a Erdem set, Givenchy clutch, Aquazzura heels, and Birks earrings.
March 8, 2019
Image 26 of 53Meghan wore a Reiss printed dress, an Alexander McQueen blazer, a Stella McCartney clutch and Manolo Blahnik pumps to the International Women's Day panel discussion.
February 24, 2019
Image 27 of 53The Duchess Of Sussex wore Dior head to toe and Birks earrings while visiting Morocco.
February 24, 2019
Image 28 of 53The Duke and Duchess arrive to the "Education For All" boarding house in Atlas Mountains in Morocco. Meghan wore an Alice and Olivia blazer and Birdies slippers.
February 23, 2019
Image 29 of 53The Duke and Duchess Of Sussex visit Morocco. Meghan wore a Valentino dress, a Valentino clutch, and Gianvito Rossi gloves and pumps to meet the Crown Prince of Morocco, Moulay Hassan.
February 20, 2019
Image 30 of 53Meghan arrives at The Mark Hotel in New York City. She is seen wearing Cuyana Bag, a Jennifer Meyer necklace, and Adidas sneakers.
January 30, 2019
Image 31 of 53Meghan Markle visits the National Theatre wearing a Brandon Maxwell dress and blazer, a Carolina Herrera clutch, and Aquazzura pumps.
January 14, 2019
Image 32 of 53Meghan wears a Sentaler coat, an Artizia dress, a Gabriela Hearst bag, and Stuart Weitzman red pumps to visit a new statue of poet Wilfred Owen.
January 10, 2019
Image 33 of 53The Duchess of Sussex visits Smart Works wearing Kimai earrings.
December 10, 2018
Image 34 of 53Meghan appears at the Fashion Awards at the Royal Albert Hall. The Duchess wore a Givenchy dress, Tamara Mellon heels, Pippa Small earrings and bangles.
November 19, 2018
Image 35 of 53Meghan wore Safiyaa dress and Gianvito Rossi pumps to the The Royal Variety Performance 2018.
October 30, 2018
Image 36 of 53Prince Harry and Meghan visit New Zealand; both are wearing Muck boots.
October 29, 2018
Image 37 of 53Harry and Meghan visiting New Zealand during their Autumn tour Australia, Fiji, Tonga and New Zealand. Meghan opted for Adidas Stan Smith sneakers for this occasion.
October 27, 2018
Image 38 of 53Meghan Markle attended the wheelchair basketball game wearing a Scanlan Theodore top and Sarah Flint pumps.
October 27, 2018
Image 39 of 53For the Invictus Games Closing ceremony, Meghan wore an Antonio Berardi Tuxedo dress and Aquazzura pumps.
October 26, 2018
Image 40 of 53Meghan visits Tupou College wearing Adina Reyter earrings.
October 24, 2018
Image 41 of 53Meghan wore a Figue dress with Castañer espadrilles during their visit to Suva, Fiji.
October 22, 2018
Image 42 of 53The Duke and Duchess of Sussex on their royal tour in Australia. The duchess steps out in a Reformation dress with Sarah Flint sandals.
October 21, 2018
Image 43 of 53Meghan spotted wearing Veja sneakers during day two the Invictus Games in Sydney, Australia.
October 21, 2018
Image 44 of 53Meghan Markle attended a reception hosted by the Prime Minister of Australia at The Pavilion Restaurant, wearing White Blazer, Oroton bag, and Aquazzura pumps.
October 18, 2018
Image 45 of 53The Duke and Duchess of Sussex visit south Melbourne Beach during their 16 day Autumn tour. Meghan wore an a-line Club Monaco dress, Martin Grant trench coat, and Rothy's flats.
October 3, 201
Image 46 of 53Meghan wore Hugo Boss leather skirt, Gabriela Hearst bag, and Stuart Weitzman pumps.
September 6, 2018
Image 47 of 53The Duchess of Sussex attended "100 Days of Peace", she wore a Jason Wu blue dress, Aquazzura pumps, Birks earrings, and bespoke Dior bag.
August 29, 2018
Image 48 of 53The Duke and Duchess of Sussex attended a gala performance of "Hamilton". The Duchess wore Judith & Charles Blazer dress, Paul Andrew pumps, and Shaun Leane earrings.
July 26, 2018
Image 49 of 53Meghan Markle wore a Carolina Herrera denim wrap dress, Birks earrings, J Crew bag, and Aquazzura pumps to the Sentebale Polo in 2018.
July 9, 2018
Image 50 of 53For christening of Prince Louis of Cambridge, Meghan wore Ralph Lauren dress, Stephen Jones hat, and LK Bennett pumps.
July 5, 2018
Image 51 of 53Duchess of Sussex attend the Your Commonwealth Youth Challenge. She wore Brandon Maxwell dress, Manolo Blahnik pumps, and Adina Reyter earrings.
July 14, 2018
Image 52 of 53The Duchess of Sussex attended the Wimbledon Championship wearing Ralph Lauren Top and Bottoms, Maison Michel hat, and Illesteva sunglasses.
June 26, 2018
Image 53 of 53The Duchess and Duke of Sussex with the Queen at the Queen's Young Leaders Awards Ceremony wearing Prada top and skirt and Aquazzura pumps.
So how does Meghan feel about being low-key name-dropped in Mulroney's defense of her actions? Not great, according to the Daily Mail.
"Meghan is absolutely mortified that she's been dragged into this complete mess. She said Jessica is in no way a racist, but the way she handled the situation (with the fashion influencer) was tone-deaf and heartbreaking," a close friend of Meghan's reportedly told the Daily Mail exclusively.
The source added that the scandal could mark the "beginning of the end of their friendship."
"Meghan said friends reflect friends and because of what's at stake she can no longer be associated with Jessica, at least not in public. She has to do what she has to do in order to preserve her dignity and her own reputation," the source added during their chat with the Daily Mail.
Kayleigh Roberts is the weekend editor at Marie Claire, covering celebrity and entertainment news, from actual royals like Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle to Hollywood royalty, like Katie Holmes and Chrissy Teigen. She’s a Ravenclaw who would do great things in Slytherin. To learn more about her, google “Leslie Knope eating salad GIF.
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