There’s something strangely predictable about celebrity friendships becoming public property. You would think that people would stop treating other people’s loyalties like a tournament by now. Yet here we are. Chrissy Teigen recently spoke kindly about Meghan Markle in an interview, and of course the reaction online was immediate and acidic. Not surprised, but a little tired too.
Why Chrissy defended Meghan
Teigen’s comments were simple: She said she admired Meghan, called her strong, and didn’t understand why so many people were so polarized about her. This last part is worth paying attention to. Think about it: someone who has witnessed the public attention, someone who has been subjected to intense scrutiny and social media storms, saying they don’t understand why another human being sparks love or outrage to such extremes. This reads like genuine confusion, not a PR line. I find this strangely reassuring.
She also noted how Meghan handles criticism – the “say whatever you want, I’m happy and healthy” line. There is something quietly provocative about this position. It’s not loud, it’s not performative; it is a calm refusal to continually allow oneself to be dragged through the mud. Chrissy seems to admire this resilience and, frankly, so do I. When you’re on stage – all of you, not just celebrities – the simplest and most human reaction is to protect what matters: your family, your mental space. Maybe that’s why Teigen mentioned they didn’t have a play date — not because it was cold, but because she rarely left the house. It’s relevant. Sometimes life is about logistics and schedules, and not every friendship has to be the highlight that people expect.
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Friendship as defense: sincere or strategic?
Now here’s where things get complicated. Public defenses of a friend are often interpreted in two opposing ways: either as sincere loyalty or as a cynical attempt at reputation management. Netizens were quick to claim that Chrissy’s praise was timed – that she only got close to Meghan when it suited her image. Others suggested that being friendly with Meghan was, in some way, a tactic for Teigen to rehabilitate herself. Do I think it’s impossible? No. Do I think this is also a lazy way of dismissing true kindness? Yes.
It’s tempting to overinterpret celebrity proximity because it’s convenient. But true friends stand up for each other for countless small reasons: shared experiences, empathy, or the simple belief that people deserve kindness. Sometimes it’s complicated, sometimes it’s contradictory. Chrissy has made public missteps before; everyone does it. Defending someone else doesn’t erase that and doesn’t necessarily prove a calculated PR play. Maybe it’s nothing more than what it appears to be: a person liking another person.
The Internet reflex: turning a compliment into ammunition
Of course, the reaction on social media was brutal and immediate. People on X and Reddit didn’t hold back. I read comments saying both women should leave the country, others accusing them of shared delusions and others looking for time frames – who was friends with whom, when and why. People look for role models, I understand. They want stories that make sense: betrayal, redemption, opportunism. These stories can be satisfying. They are tidy. But life – and friendships – rarely fit these storylines perfectly.
There is a performative cruelty in this reflex. When one celebrity speaks kindly of another, it becomes a duel: supporters versus enemies, each nuance flattened into a memorable soundbite. The interesting part – and it’s small but worth noting – is how quickly everyone is turning small human acts into weapons. A compliment becomes a “sleazy two-for-one deal.” It’s dramatic. Perhaps click-worthy, sure, but dramatic.
People forget that relationships aren’t PR
This whole exchange reminds me how we often forget the private and ordinary aspects of people’s lives. Friendships aren’t always photo ops; it’s late night texts, a shared story, listening to someone talk about something stupid or painful. Chrissy saying Meghan is kind and strong might be the kind of thing someone says to comfort a friend. It could also be performative. Or both, because people are complicated. It’s hard to admit it sometimes, but it’s true.
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I tend to believe small kindnesses at face value more than not, mainly because what’s the point of assuming that everyone’s calculus is strategic? It’s a dark view by default. Still, skepticism is understandable. Meghan has been in the spotlight and made decisions that polarize the public; Chrissy has been publicly criticized for her own moments. So yes, viewers are connecting the dots and speculating. It’s human to do that. It is also human to sometimes make mistakes or lack nuance.
What this says about us
Observing the fallout reveals something about public discourse: we like stories that confirm our existing opinions. One friend praising another? Great, if that validates your point. Otherwise, it’s a matter of ridicule. The speed and cruelty of the response also reveals a larger problem: online comments are a substitute for deeper engagement. Quick takes dominate and complexity is lost.
I don’t have a high-stakes verdict here. I also don’t think a short interview reshapes anyone’s legacy. People can both like Meghan and question aspects of her public life. People can support her while still criticizing her choices. Likewise, Chrissy may be an imperfect person but nonetheless capable of true friendship.
Bottom line: The immediate violent reaction online was predictable and, frankly, exhausting. But Chrissy’s comments read like a friend’s honest appreciation. Whether you accept it or not probably depends on what you’re used to believing about public figures. I tend to give small acts of kindness the benefit of the doubt, at least until I find a clear reason not to do it. That seems fair – and perhaps a little kinder than the alternative.