Candiace Dillard, a former cast member of “The Real Housewives of Potomac,” has stepped up to support Meghan Markle against the harmful effects of misogynoir. This term refers to the intersectional discrimination faced by Black women, which combines elements of both racism and sexism. Dillard’s defense comes at a time when the Duchess of Sussex is attracting both admiration and criticism for her public appearances.
In celebration of her daughter Princess Lilibet’s 4th birthday on Wednesday, the 43-year-old Duchess of Sussex shared a nostalgic video on Instagram. The clip features her and her husband, Prince Harry, joyfully dancing in the delivery room to the viral sensation known as the “Baby Momma Dance Song.” This lighthearted moment highlights the couple’s excitement as they prepare to welcome their second child.
As Markle was nearing the end of her pregnancy, she and the 40-year-old Duke of Sussex showcased their playful sides by shaking, clapping, and dancing with abandon. They were eagerly anticipating the arrival of their new addition, joining their first child, Prince Archie, who is now 6 years old.
While many fans showered the couple with praise for this adorable moment, a number of online trolls harshly criticized the video, labeling it as “fake and cringe,” and imploring them to “make it stop.” This dichotomy of reactions showcases how public figures like Markle often face intense scrutiny no matter their intentions.
One critic expressed their disdain by stating, “Everything they do to appear ‘relatable’ is strangely unrelatable.” They continued to lament that the couple never seems to miss an opportunity to be in the spotlight, highlighting the polarized opinions surrounding their public personas.
Dillard, who welcomed her first child, a son named Jett, with her husband Chris Bassett in October 2024, took to X to confront a user who insinuated that Markle wasn’t genuinely pregnant in the posted video. This response highlights the ongoing conversation about women’s experiences and the skepticism they often encounter, particularly from those who fail to empathize.
In response to the naysayer’s comments, which claimed, “No woman nine months pregnant moves that way,” Dillard fiercely defended Markle. The critic described Markle’s belly as “lumpy” and questioned her authenticity, stating that a real expectant mother would exhibit discomfort. This kind of commentary reflects the unrealistic standards often imposed on women, especially those in the public eye.
Dillard fired back, asserting, “Actually, at nine months pregnant, I was leg pressing three times my weight, doing pull-ups with double my weight, and walking several miles on a treadmill, so shut up and just admit you hate that a Black woman married a white prince.” Her passionate response underscores the complexities of race and gender dynamics faced by women like Markle.
<pFollowing her initial rebuttal, the former reality star shared a video of herself in her own delivery room, demonstrating the realities of pregnancy as she sat on a birthing ball. This personal touch serves to humanize the experience and challenge misconceptions about motherhood.
In her follow-up post, Dillard stated, “I wasn’t going to address this. But then I remembered I have receipts.” She shared her own image, depicting her stomach as “lumpy, uneven, stretched, and swollen,” connected to a fetal monitor while wearing a loose delivery gown. This candid portrayal emphasizes the raw and unfiltered beauty of motherhood, contrasting sharply with the polished images often portrayed in the media.
Dillard continued to direct her frustration towards those online who are “twisting” narratives to undermine the humanity of a Black woman’s motherhood experience. She pointed out how critics have gone as far as to suggest that Markle’s abdomen was simply “towels,” and that her joy was merely an illusion. This highlights the pervasive challenges that Black women face in the public sphere.
The singer and reality star lamented, “I’m reminded that misogynoir has no expiration date.” This term reflects the compounded layers of racism and misogyny that Black women often endure. Dillard further criticized society’s fixation on policing how women present themselves, carry their babies, and express their joy, arguing that this fixation is less about truth and more about control.
She concluded her powerful message by stating, “Stand down. She had a baby. Some of you need to reflect on why that threatens you so much.” Dillard’s post was accompanied by powerful hashtags, including #StandWithMeghan, #BlackMothersDeserveGrace, and #MisogynoirIsLoud, which resonate with a growing movement for respect and understanding of Black motherhood.
