Mariah Carey recently sparked eyebrows when she seemed to gloss over Meghan Markle during a new interview, reigniting memories of their tense encounter from a few years ago.
The pop diva, 56, was asked about her interactions with the Royal family ahead of a performance at King Charles’ Sandringham House, but notably skipped over the Duchess of Sussex, 44, in her response.
Carey Focuses on Fergie Instead
Appearing on Hits Radio this week, Carey was asked if she had ever met any Royals.
Rather than acknowledging Markle, she replied curtly: “Fergie [Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York], I thought she was cool.”
It was a pointed omission, especially given that Markle and her husband Prince Harry remain members of the Royal family, despite stepping back from official duties in 2020.
The Diva Podcast Episode That Made Headlines
The pair’s last encounter came in 2022 on Markle’s Archetypes podcast episode titled “The Duality of Diva.”
During the chat, Carey labeled Markle a “diva,” which initially took the Duchess by surprise.
Markle later explained that the term referred to her style, posture, and outfits rather than her personality, but the moment still caused tension.
A Misunderstood Compliment
The exchange quickly became a discussion about how the word “diva” can be interpreted.
Carey insisted that Markle occasionally gave “diva moments,” to which Markle replied in disbelief, asking what exactly she meant.
Carey clarified, “It’s also the visual… a lot of it is the look… the gorgeous ensembles.”
She insisted it was meant as a compliment, emphasizing style and poise rather than personality flaws.
Meghan Reflects on the Encounter
In her podcast, Markle later described feeling flustered when Carey called her a diva.
“I started to sweat a little and squirm in my chair,” she admitted.
She initially heard the comment as a dig, but Carey quickly reassured her that “diva” was intended as aspirational and chic. Markle reflected on how differently people can interpret charged words and how reclaiming them can be empowering.
Different Perspectives on the Same Word
Markle explained that the experience highlighted the complexities of language and perception, noting, “For some, reclaiming words is what they feel will propel us forward.”
Despite the awkward moment, both women appeared to maintain mutual respect, though Carey’s latest omission on Hits Radio suggests the past tension may still linger.
