Joshua Goldman
Joshua Goldman
min read · August 25, 2025 · Entertainment

Meghan's Hollywood Dream: From Los Angeles to the Royal Spotlight

Before marrying into the Royal Family, growing up in Los Angeles, Meghan Markle dreamed of one day becoming a global superstar. She is pictured as Rachel Zane in Suits

The Duchess's Downfall: How Meghan Markle's Hollywood Dreams Collided with Royal Reality

It's a tale of two Meghans - the actress who once shone bright on the silver screen, and the royal who failed to sparkle in the palace. The Duchess of Sussex's journey from Hollywood darling to working royal has been one of drama, disappointment, and ultimately, departure.

As we delve into Meghan Markle's past, it becomes clear that her drive for stardom began at a young age. Growing up in the exclusive community of Los Angeles, she was practically groomed for greatness - attending a private school just a stone's throw from the iconic Hollywood Walk of Fame. But unlike many privileged youngsters, Meghan refused to rest on her laurels.

As a teenager, Meghan - pictured in 2016 - participated in high school theatrical productions

According to royal biographer Sean Smith, Meghan's mantra was "don't give up." She had already adapted and adopted her ex-husband Trevor Engelson's favorite expression: "Don't give it five minutes if you're not going to give it five years." This mindset served her well in the cutthroat world of show business, where rejection is an occupational hazard.

Meghan's early forays into acting included high school theatrical productions and starring roles in plays like Oedipus Rex. Her father, Thomas Markle, who has since been estranged from his daughter, boasted to biographer Tom Bower that Meghan "wants to be the star of the stage and the star in life." It's clear that Meghan had a natural talent for drama, but what drove her desire for fame?

A peek at Meghan's CV reveals a young woman who was determined to make it big. With roles in shows like General Hospital (2001) and Century City (2004), as well as appearances on Deal Or No Deal (2006), it seemed she was destined for stardom. However, these early successes were merely the tip of the iceberg.

Royal biographer Sean Smith wrote in Meghan Misunderstood: 'From Meghan's point of view, the important consideration was that she did not give up'

As Meghan's career gained momentum, so did her ambition. She began to appear in more substantial roles, including a minor part in the 90210 reboot (2008). But it wasn't until her meeting with casting agent April Webster that Meghan's "game-changing moment" arrived.

According to Smith, April's words of wisdom - "You need to know that you're enough" - struck a chord with the young actress. This epiphany would become a defining mantra for Meghan, one that she would carry with her into her royal life. However, as we now know, it was not enough to shield her from the harsh realities of palace politics.

Meghan's breakthrough came in 2011 when she landed the coveted role of Rachel Zane on Suits. This seven-year stint catapulted her to international fame, but at what cost? As Smith noted, Meghan began to sacrifice her anonymity for the sake of stardom - a decision that would ultimately lead to her downfall as a member of the royal family.

Meghan is pictured at the Annual Warner Bros. and InStyle Golden Globe After Party held at The Beverly Hilton hotel on January 15, 2012 in Beverly Hills

It's worth noting that the Queen and Prince Philip had warned Meghan about the perils of royal life. According to biographer Andrew Morton, they offered her the freedom to continue acting if she chose to do so. However, in her joint BBC interview with Prince Harry following their engagement, Meghan revealed a different story.

"I'm happy to end my career," she said, claiming that she could now focus on the causes closest to her heart. Little did we know that this would be short-lived. Just two years after the royal wedding, Meghan and Harry stepped down from royal duties in January 2020 - a decision that left many scratching their heads.

So what went wrong? Was it Meghan's inability to adapt to the strictures of palace life, or the Royal Family's resistance to her Hollywood glamour? Perhaps it was a combination of both. As we now know, Meghan's desire for fame clashed with the traditional values of the monarchy.

Meghan's CV was posted alongside a black and white headshot from her early acting days

It's worth remembering Prince Philip's sage advice to Kate Middleton: "If you believe the attention is for you personally, you're going to end up in trouble." It seems that Meghan failed to heed this warning, instead allowing her popularity to cloud her judgment. As royal biographer Gyles Brandreth noted, "She did not take it personally."

In retrospect, it's clear that Meghan's downfall was a long time coming. Her drive for stardom, which had once propelled her to success in Hollywood, ultimately proved to be her undoing as a member of the royal family. As we reflect on this tale of two Meghans, one can't help but wonder: what could have been if she had applied the same determination and humility she had as an actress to the role of working royal? The answer, much like Meghan's future in the palace, remains uncertain.

Sources:

Meghan's CV from before her marriage to Harry was shared on Twitter, which included her eye colour, height and weight

  • Sean Smith, Meghan Misunderstood
  • Tom Bower, Meghan Markle: Unprotected
  • Andrew Morton, Meghan and Harry: A Royal Romance
  • Gyles Brandreth, Philip The Final Portrait (as mentioned in the original article)
  • Various interviews with Meghan Markle

Back in 2006, the Duchess of Sussex, a 25-year-old graduate who'd studied acting at Northwestern University, said yes to the role of 'briefcase girl' on the American version of Deal Or No Deal

Meghan reflected, as per Smith's biography: 'Working on Deal or No Deal was a learning experience and it helped me to understand what I would rather be doing'

One of the Duchess's co-stars said that Meghan - pictured in February 2012 -was 'not in any way a diva'

In 2011, Meghan's big break came, and she was offered the chance to play the role of Rachel Zane on Suits

Meghan is pictured at an event for Suits in January 2013 in Beverly Hills, California

The Queen reportedly told Meghan before joining the Royal Family that she could carry on acting if she wanted to

In her joint BBC interview with Prince Harry following their engagement, Meghan explained she was happy to end her acting career

Many critics of the royal believe that Meghan would have had more success as a member of the family if she applied the same determination - and humility - she had as an actress to the role