Before Meghan Markle became a Duchess, she was a Los Angeles teenager with big dreams of Hollywood stardom.
Growing up just blocks from the Hollywood Walk of Fame, Meghan had the advantage of a privileged upbringing and a private school education.
Yet, her path to fame was far from guaranteed, and she had to work tirelessly to make her acting ambitions a reality.
Learning Early Lessons in Determination
Royal biographer Sean Smith highlights Meghan’s perseverance in Meghan Misunderstood, noting that she adopted her ex-husband Trevor Engelson’s motto: “Don’t give it five minutes if you’re not going to give it five years.”
From starring in high school productions to participating in a three-day sell-out of Oedipus Rex, Meghan proved early on that dedication was key.
Her father, Thomas Markle, shared with biographer Tom Bower that Meghan “wants to be the star of the stage and the star in life.”
Breaking Into Hollywood
Meghan’s father supported her ambitions, taking her to Emmy Awards ceremonies and helping her navigate the entertainment world.
By her late teens, she was steadily building experience, appearing in small TV roles such as Cuts in 2005, General Hospital in 2001, and Century City in 2004.
A pre-acting CV revealed not only her headshot and physical stats but also extensive theatre experience, language skills in French and Spanish, dance, and even kickboxing.
Her first professional film role came in A Lot Like Love (2005), and in 2006, she landed a part as a “briefcase girl” on Deal Or No Deal.
Reflecting on the experience, Meghan later described it as a learning opportunity that clarified the types of roles she wanted to pursue.
The Turning Point
Despite small setbacks like the pilot for The Apostles never being picked up, Meghan continued to audition for more substantial roles.
Her breakthrough came when she met casting agent April Webster while trying out for Fringe.
Webster recognized Meghan’s self-doubt and gave her a powerful affirmation: “You need to know that you’re enough.”
This advice became a guiding mantra throughout her career and public life.
In 2010, Meghan launched her anonymous blog, Working Actress, signaling her intent to be more than just a pretty face in Hollywood.
Suits and Stardom
Her big break arrived in 2011 with the role of Rachel Zane on Suits, a part she played for 108 episodes.
During this time, she also appeared in films like Random Encounters and Anti-Social, ran her lifestyle blog The Tig, and partnered with brands like Birchbox, Reitmans, and Bobbi Brown.
Her growing fame positioned her for life-changing opportunities, but it also set the stage for her transition into royalty.
Transitioning to Royal Life
Following her engagement to Prince Harry, Meghan stepped away from acting to embrace her role as a working royal.
Though she had the option to continue acting, she chose to focus on charitable causes that mattered to her.
Unfortunately, her tenure as a working royal was short-lived; she and Harry stepped down from official duties in January 2020, only two years after their wedding.
Lessons from Royal Predecessors
Royal insiders note that Meghan’s desire for the spotlight sometimes clashed with the traditional and private expectations of the family.
Comparisons have been drawn to Kate Middleton, who carefully balanced public attention with humility.
Prince Philip, in particular, advised new royals that the attention was for their role, not for personal fame—a lesson Meghan reportedly struggled to fully embrace.
Balancing Ambition and Tradition
Critics argue that Meghan might have found greater success within the royal framework had she applied the same perseverance and humility that defined her acting career.
Others note that her drive and celebrity instincts were always part of her identity, making her navigation of royal life uniquely challenging.
Meghan Markle’s journey from Los Angeles teenager to Hollywood actress to Duchess of Sussex is a testament to ambition, resilience, and the complex balance between personal goals and traditional expectations.
