Melissa McCarthy Supports Friend Meghan Markle: A ‘Smart Woman’ Is ‘Threatening to Some People’

The 'Genie' actress starred in a video alongside the Duchess of Sussex for her 40th birthday in 2021

Melissa McCarthy has a lot of love for Meghan Markle.

While speaking at the opening of Broadway's Suffs on April 18, McCarthy, 53, praised the "wonderful" and "awesome" Duchess of Sussex.

“A smart interesting woman that has her own life, for some reason, is incredibly threatening to some people,” The Little Mermaid actress told Page Six, referencing some of the criticism Meghan, 42, receives.

“I always think, how inspiring! I’ve never once been threatened by someone who is amazing. I just think how inspiring. It’s really on the people throwing the hate,” McCarthy added.

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The Genie actress' comments come after she appeared alongside Meghan in the 40x40 initiative announcement video back in 2021.

The clip, shared to celebrate Meghan's 40th birthday, saw McCarthy wear a fascinator and white gloves and sip from a patterned teacup while poking fun at Meghan's royal status. Meghan's husband, Prince Harry, also made a cameo in the playful video and showed off his juggling skills.

After the clip aired, McCarthy called the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's dynamic "so cute" during an appearance on U.K. morning show Lorraine. The Nine Perfect Strangers star said Meghan's "whole face lit up" when Harry, 39, walked in the room.

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McCarthy shared that she "just thought it was so sweet and genuine," as she revealed how it was actually Harry's idea to make a cameo in his wife's birthday clip.

"I was like, 'Are you weird and funny to boot?' At that point, I was like, 'That's great!' ... I love anyone that will do something weird just for weird's sake, so I was like, 'I tip my hat!' " she said of Harry's juggling cameo suggestion.

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McCarthy added of whether she knew the clip would go viral, "When people see him just creepily standing outside a window juggling, it's so weird that I was like, 'Nothing else will matter.' "

Harry and Meghan stepped back as senior members of the royal family in 2020. They've since relocated to California, where they now live with their two children; Prince Archie, 4, and Princess Lilibet, 2.

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