Actress Jameela Jamil has firmly denied being close friends with Meghan Markle, despite appearing on the Duchess of Sussex's podcast in 2022.
The Good Place star, 39, was responding to a question about whether she maintains a close friendship with the royal, who relocated to Montecito, California, with Prince Harry in 2020.
"No, of course not. It's a different planet," Jamil told The Times in an interview published today.
Jamil, who moved from the UK to Los Angeles to pursue her acting career, counts comedian Larry David among her close friends in the city.
Jameela Jamil clarifies friendship status with Meghan Markle: 'It's a different planet'.
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Whilst clarifying they are not close friends, Jamil acknowledged the kindness Meghan has shown her.
"She was kind to me and sent me a message of support when I was going through something very hard. I stood up for her long before I met her — like any woman I see being eaten alive by the media. I wouldn't qualify us as close friends," Jamil explained.
The actress and body positivity activist revealed that despite their limited relationship, Meghan had reached out privately during one of Jamil's most difficult periods, offering support without seeking public recognition for the gesture.
During her appearance on Meghan's "Archetypes" podcast in 2022, Jamil spoke warmly about the duchess's private outreach to women facing difficulties.
Jameela Jamil appeared on Meghan's first podcast 'Archetypes'.
PA
"You have been such a sobering voice of unwavering support to me," Jamil said on the podcast.
"And people don't know that you frequently reach out to women who are having a very, very hard time. You reach out to us. You don't do it publicly. You don't come to get any glory, but you privately reach out to us in our most lonely and desperate moments."
She added: "And so I just appreciate you and thank you for that, because those are some hairy moments and I needed that guidance. So, thanks. Thanks, mate."
The She-Hulk actress also defended Meghan during the podcast appearance, expressing outrage at media treatment of "this very normal, very kind, very civilised woman."
Jameela Jamil praised Meghan for reaching out to women who were having a hard time.
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Meghan and Harry stepped down as working members of the monarchy in 2020.Getty"I fought back on your behalf for years before I'd ever met you," Jamil told the duchess, describing the criticism as highlighting "the intense unkindness and bigotry and misogyny of our media."
The pair's interactions have been limited, though Meghan selected Jamil as one of the cover stars for the September 2019 issue of British Vogue, which the duchess guest-edited.
Jamil recalled one occasion when she and her partner, British singer James Blake, met with Meghan and Harry, describing it as "a really sweet dynamic."
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