EXCLUSIVE Meghan's 'complex' reaction to the success of her 'good friend' Serena Williams: Body language expert claims Duchess expresses 'concealed emotions' when talking about her pal
The Duchess of Sussex, 43, 'made an attempt to conceal' her true emotions when her friend and fellow podcaster Emma Grede praised the 23-time Grand Slam winner during a recent interview.
British-born businesswoman Emma - who is the co-founder of Kim Kardashian 's billion-dollar Skims brand - spoke to Meghan about launching her lifestyle firm As Ever during the most recent episode of her Aspire podcast.
At one point, Emma asked the Duchess if there was 'anything you would do differently' when it came to shaping public opinion, Meghan made what appeared to be a dig at the Royal Family and said she would 'ask people to tell the truth'.
She then proceeded to 'name-drop' Serena, 43, body language expert Judi James told MailOnline, but appeared to 'struggle a little' when Emma brought up the former tennis star's business acumen that has led to her amassing a $350 million fortune.
According to Judi, Meghan begins her response to Emma's question about the public narrative by 'referring to "My dear friend Serena..."' while signalling a segment of 'verbal stroking' for one of her most famous pals.
The body language expert suggested Meghan wears a 'coyly smug smile' before she 'works the name-drop by using a throwaway hand gesture' before averting her eyes to with an 'even coyer smile '.
It is not unlike the ritual Meghan performs when talking about her husband, Prince Harry, as she uses these 'micro-gestures' to reiterate she's talking about 'very famous people who are close to her'.
However, her usual style was disturbed when Emma interrupted Meghan to gush about her 'girl crush' Serena - and comparing her to Meghan in the process - triggering her to respond with a forced 'holding pose' to convey 'you don't normally interrupt a guest'.
Judi added: 'Her comment of agreement with Emma's "successful entrepereneur" praise for Serena comes with some incongruent-looking facial movements.'
She noted how Meghan's eyes 'close fully here' and 'her lower jaw performs a micro-jut' before explaining these are indicators of 'complex emotional responses' that could be in response either to being cut short by Emma or 'the subject matter' - that is, Serena's success.
'When Meghan looks downward and her jaw juts slightly, we can see a deliberate or subconscious hiding of her thoughts, with the jaw-jut suggesting a sense of determination,' Judi continued.
When world leaders like US president Donald Trump perform it, Judi added, this is often a 'signal of powering-up and showing denial'.
Her eyelid flutter 'can also be an eye stutter', Judi concluded.
'It can suggest inner conflict when someone wants to look open, but feels impelled to conceal their eyes.'
The awkward moment occurred as Meghan appeared to take a thinly veiled swipe at the Royal Family when she pointedly said she wanted people to 'tell the truth' about her.
It came after Emma asked the Duchess what she would do 'if you could rewrite your public narrative from scratch'.
Meghan wore a determined look and replied: 'Yes, I would ask people to tell the truth'.
Ms Gerde said Meghan must feel 'angry' to have people 'lying about [her] all the time'. Meghan said that she dealt with this by remembering advice from her friend, tennis champion Serena Williams.
'My dear friend Serena, she told me years ago, "A lie can't live forever".'
Meghan then laughed and said pointedly 'Eight years is a long time, but not forever' - in a presumed nod to the period when she first began dating Harry, now 40.
She then described fame as having 'peaks and valleys' and claims she has survived with 'a lot of self work' as well as de-stressing by spending time with her children, hiking and 'date nights' with Harry.
There was also a subtle dig at royal life where she described times in her life where she 'wasn't as empowered with my voice', but said of her return to Instagram, which she left when she became a royal: 'It was a great way to get my voice back.'
Meghan and Serena have enjoyed a close relationship for many years, with the tennis legend attending the royal wedding in 2018.
They first crossed paths at the 2010 Super Bowl, when the New Orleans Saints took on the Indianapolis Colts, before reuniting for a Celebrity Beach Bowl tournament - where they 'immediately' hit it off.
Writing on her now-defunct lifestyle blog, The Tig, Meghan shared: 'We hit if off immediately.
'Taking pictures, laughing theough the flag flootball game we were both playing in, and chatting...
'Not about tennis or acting, but about all the good, old-fashioned girly stuff.'
They have remained close over the years, with Meghan and Serena publicly supporting each other through their successes and setbacks alike.
Serena was the first guest on Meghan's Spotify podcast Archetypes, which was eventually cancelled by the audio streaming giant after just one season.
Recalling their first meeting, Meghan said: 'I show up and I see you walking toward someone. I remember thinking, "Oh my gosh, who is Serena Williams going to talk to?
'I looked behind me and when I turned around, you were there right in front of me... We became such fast friends.'
Serena, who has now retired from tennis, explained during the first episode of the series that she is 'super loyal, to a fault' after being 'friends for so long' with the Duchess.
According to Mark Hodgkinson in Serena: A Graphic Biography of the Greatest Tennis Champion, the women's friendship quickly evolved through frequent phone calls and texts.
Serena was one of the first people to defend Meghan following a backlash after her bombshell interview with Oprah Winfrey.
In a statement on Twitter after the interview aired, Williams described her as a 'selfless friend' who 'teaches me every day what it means to be truly noble'.
'Her words illustrate the pain and cruelty she's experienced,' Williams wrote.
In March, Meghan documented an afternoon of playing board games with her daughter Princess Lilibet, three, and 'Auntie' Serena - ahead of the release of her Netflix special.
Meghan posted a clip on her Instagram of the trio to the backdrop of Bill Withers' Lovely Day as she wrote: 'When the aunties come to celebrate... and to play! Love you @serenawilliams.'
Last April, Serena was spotted enjoying a glass of champagne as she supported Meghan at Prince Harry's Netflix polo match.
The Grand Slam champion was seen giggling and gossiping with the Duchess on the sidelines of the Sentebale Polo Cup in Miami, Florida.
Meghan's appearance on Emma's podcast came one day before she revealed the date for her new set of As Ever products.
The Duchess Of Sussex, 43, took to Instagram on Monday evening to tease the 'delicious surprises' that will be in store during the second launch of her lifestyle brand.
And she revealed that the products - which will also include previous 'favourites' - will be back even sooner than previously thought, with the restock going live on Friday, June 20 at 8am.
The first batch of products - comprising teas and jam - sold out within an hour of the website going live in March.
Just a few weeks prior, the mother-of two had hinted that she might never restock her jam in an interview with a US business magazine which said she was planning to 'step back to assess' her brand.
In the interview - given to coincide with the final episode of Confessions of a Female Founder - the Fast Company said Meghan wanted to 'step back, gather data from the launch, and figure out exactly what As Ever could be.'
Meghan also revealed the surprising turn As Ever could take - hinting at a future step into the fashion industry - but said for now she is planning to launch a new range of merchandise in early 2026.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mail
31 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Insiders reveal Kelly Osbourne's final promise to Ozzy
Hidden behind her father Ozzy's trademark round sunglasses , Kelly Osbourne fought to keep her composure as she held up her grieving mother. With her arms around her for support, Kelly watched as a heartbroken Sharon crouched down to place a single rose on a mound of floral tributes in front of thousands of fans who had lined the streets of Birmingham to pay their respects to the Prince of Darkness on Wednesday. Clearly overwhelmed by the crowds, Kelly took a moment as she hugged her brother Jack at the Black Sabbath Bridge site which fast became a memorial for the beloved heavy metal icon after his death, aged 76, last week. It was a particularly poignant moment for Kelly, 40, whose stoicism was a nod to her late father and the touching promise she had made him. 'The last few days have been a tough ride, but Kelly has been focused on executing plans with her mum,' an insider told the Daily Mail. 'Of course there have been tears, but she promised her dad - who openly spoke about not wanting people to mourn but rather celebrate his life - that she would not crumble in public.' The Black Sabbath legend 'always pushed them to 'celebrate what people have done in life, not [expletive] worry about what's next,' and his daughter has embraced his ethos. However, while Kelly has been trying her best to do exactly what her rocker father would have wanted, she is worried about her mother. Those close to the family are said to be extremely 'concerned about the impact this is having on Sharon,' adding that 'she and Ozzy were such a unique couple [and] them being apart it is heartbreaking'. Insiders previously disclosed to the Daily Mail the growing concerns for Sharon, 72, who has dealt with her own health issues over the years, including a colon cancer diagnosis in 2002 that led to surgery and chemotherapy. The music manager, who has been vocal about her life-long struggle with body image issues, also recently revealed she has struggled to gain weight after stopping popular weight-loss drug Ozempic. Sharon and Ozzy had a tumultuous, high-profile relationship that was well-documented by the media and their reality TV show, The Osbournes. The couple first met in 1970 when Sharon - the daughter of Ozzy's then manager -was only 18. At the time, he was married to his first wife Thelma, with whom he had two children, Louis and Jessica. After Ozzy left Black Sabbath, Sharon took over as his manager, and their epic love story began, with a wedding in Hawaii on July 4, 1982. They weathered countless affair allegations - one of which pushed Sharon to overdose - and celebrated their 43rd wedding anniversary on July 4, one day before Ozzy's farewell concert, Back to the Beginning. But 'Kelly will now be there for Sharon,' because of the 'very unique bond' she shared with her father. The Mama I'm Coming Home singer previously told Rolling Stone they were 'like two peas in a pod' and gushed about their unbreakable bond, admitting, 'If I've got a favorite kid, it's Kelly' while joking that his other children knew how he felt. One of Ozzy's biggest dreams was that Kelly would find love like her brother Jack, who married his second wife Aree Gearhart 14 months after welcoming their daughter Maple. Jack, 39, is also a father to daughters Pearl, 11, Andy, seven, and Minnie, five, from his first marriage to Lisa Stelly. 'Ozzy was Kelly's biggest champion in her career and in love,' the insider said, adding while he might be remembered as a 'tough rock star, he was really an emotional teddy bear when it came to the kids.' 'One of his hopes was always that Kelly would find the right partner and fulfil her dream to start a family,' they said. 'For years she had been the doting auntie to Jack's babies and as aunt and granddad they had enjoyed that experience together.' Kelly's partner Sid Wilson, 48, a member of the band Slipknot, proposed at the end of her father's final gig as a fitting farewell. They first met when Kelly was 13 and Sid was 20 during Ozzfest, the heavy metal festival founded by her parents. The loved up couple confirmed their relationship in early 2022, after knowing each other for more than two decades. Just months later, they announced they were expecting their first child. Their son, Sidney, arrived in November 2022. 'When Sid got together with Kelly and they had their son, there was huge joy for Oz,' the insider continued, adding that during his toughest days of feeling unwell and in pain, spending time with his grandson and Kelly helped keep his spirits up and 'bolstered the bond' with his beloved daughter. 'He used to sing to Sidney and play silly games,' they said. 'This was a huge comfort for Kelly, who saw her dad's physical state declining.' Now all eyes will be on Kelly's son, who Ozzy proudly declared 'could become the one to follow him into music'.
The Independent
31 minutes ago
- The Independent
The hit song lyrics that Mike Posner says aren't ‘true anymore'
Singer Mike Posner has disowned the lyrics of his 2016 hit song "I Took a Pill in Ibiza", as 'none of them are true anymore'. The 37-year-old musician, whose track topped the UK charts for four weeks, originally wrote the song after taking ecstasy with DJ Avicii in Ibiza, opening with the line: 'I took a pill in Ibiza to show Avicii I was cool'. Posner expressed pride in his personal transformation over the past 11 years, emphasising self-love and a shift away from behaviours he once engaged in to seek approval. He detailed overcoming significant physical and emotional challenges, such as climbing Mount Everest, leading to his healthiest relationship. The song generated controversy upon its release in 2016 due to its drug references, drawing criticism from Ibiza tourism chiefs and prompting questions about the BBC's decision to playlist it.
Daily Mirror
31 minutes ago
- Daily Mirror
'Kim Kardashian's £52 face wrap feeds into a dangerous obsession with facial perfection'
SKIMS has launched a brand new product that claims to help sculpt your face and help you wake up with a 'seriously sharp and contoured face' - but critics question whether it's taking beauty standards one step too far Kim Kardashian's SKIMS brand has never held back when it comes to unconventional standards of fashion lines - but the latest launch has left people divided. From bras with fake nipples on show to micro bikinis that would struggle to even cover a Dorito, it's a brand that always gets people talking. Renowned for their ultimate body shapewear, promising sleek silhouettes and serious tummy control knickers, the $3billion (£2.2bn) SKIMS empire has just released Seamless Sculpt Face Wrap designed to give you a snatched and sharp jawline, reduce puffiness and improve facial definition - apparently. Amid the launch, Mirror writer Danielle Kate Wroe called for the product to be "stopped". The shapewear, inspired by lymphatic drainage massages comes in two colours and tightly wraps around your face and neck and fastened with a Velcro strap. It's designed to be worn to bed, in the hope you wake up with a seriously sculpted face - but does it work? According to Kim, it's an "absolute necessity", as the contraption is infused with collagen yarns and the new launch, in true SKIMS style, has already sold out after only launching on July 29. Costing a staggering £52, shoppers are hoping to copy Kim's ultra-sculpted face shape. With many calling for women to just "sleep in peace", they aren't convinced this product is a good idea - including renowned skincare guru and expert Caroline Hirons, was seen chiming in on the Skims Instagram comments, asking: "Is it April Fools?" Another Instagram user wrote: "Guys, there's straight up no science to back this. Believe me, I've looked (I've always had a double chin) Save your money." While others are comparing it to Hannibal Lecter as well as The Handmaids Tale and slamming the "disturbing" product to pressuring women to conform to these beauty standards. For more stories like this subscribe to our weekly newsletter, The Weekly Gulp, for a curated roundup of trending stories, poignant interviews, and viral lifestyle picks from The Mirror's Audience U35 team delivered straight to your inbox. One of the unique selling points of the product is the collagen yarn, and according to Olga Skydan, dermatologist and member of the Medical Expert Board at the face yoga app Luvly, the term sounds scientific, but it's "largely a marketing ploy". She told The Mirror: "Collagen yarn refers to textile fibres infused with collagen peptides derived from fish or bovine sources. In some garments, these are used for moisturizing or skin-conditioning benefits. But the thing is, collagen molecules are far too large to penetrate intact through the skin barrier, and certainly too large to do so via a garment." She highlighted that it can't help promise a snatched face and compared it to a Gua Sha. She said: "Gua sha, at least, is based on traditional massage techniques that stimulate lymphatic drainage and blood flow. On the other hand, the SKIMS face wrap does something similar, but in a compressive way. It can temporarily reduce puffiness, just as sleeping in an upright position can. But make no mistake, there's no rejuvenation happening here." The expert also notes concern over the wording used for the product. The product is called 'Seamless Sculpt" and Olga said 'sculpted,' and other similar adjectives, "feeds into an already dangerous obsession with facial perfection and symmetry among women" and added: "The implication is that natural softness or aging is something to be concealed or fixed. And the fact that the solution is marketed as something you can wear at home while multitasking suggests that we should always be optimizing ourselves, even during rest." here are a lot of effective, non-invasive options out there, according to the expert. For example, professional-grade radiofrequency and ultrasound can stimulate collagen and elastin and at-home products such as retinoids and peptides can help improve skin density over time. As well as lifestyle habits like a consistent use of SPF, a protein-rich diet, adequate hydration, and quality sleep still form the foundation of skin health. Help us improve our content by completing the survey below. We'd love to hear from you!
