The Duchess of Sussex opens up about her struggles in the entertainment industry during a candid conversation on a new podcast episode.

According to The Independent, Meghan Markle disclosed that her freckles and mixed-race heritage significantly hindered her ability to secure acting roles, particularly in beauty and skincare commercials, during her pre-royal career.

In a revealing discussion with IT Cosmetics founder Jamie Kern Lima on her podcast "Confessions of a Female Founder," Markle shared insights about the beauty standards that dominated the entertainment industry during her acting career.

The 43-year-old actress-turned-entrepreneur explained how her unique features often led to rejection in the competitive world of commercial advertising.

Industry Beauty Standards Impact on Career Opportunities

Markle's commercial agent faced significant challenges when attempting to submit her for beauty and skincare advertisements due to her freckles.

The industry's narrow definition of beauty at the time created substantial barriers for actors who didn't conform to conventional standards. This revelation highlights the persistent issues of representation and diversity in the entertainment sector.

Speaking to Lima, who has dealt with her own challenges related to rosacea, Markle expressed solidarity over their shared experiences with beauty industry rejection. Their conversation emphasized the importance of challenging traditional beauty standards and promoting inclusive representation in advertising.

The discussion touched upon deeper issues of racial typecasting in the entertainment industry, revealing how being mixed-race often complicated Markle's casting opportunities:

I was an auditioning actor, auditioning for commercials and I remember my commercial agent could not submit me for beauty or skincare ads because I had freckles. They were like: 'No, no, it's just never going to work because freckles aren't a sign of beauty'. It was just, you couldn't see yourself reflected there.

Mixed-Race Identity and Industry Typecasting

Markle's experience as a mixed-race actress presented unique challenges in an industry that often relied on rigid racial categories for casting decisions. Her heritage frequently placed her in a difficult position during auditions, as roles were typically designated for specific racial categories.

The former Suits star, who portrayed Rachel Zane from 2011 to 2018, described how the industry's tendency to typecast affected her career trajectory. Her mixed heritage meant she could access various audition opportunities, but this accessibility paradoxically led to increased rejection rates.

Oh my gosh, oh please. I heard 'No' all the time, especially because I wasn't cookie-cutter for a specific type. And, at the start of my auditioning career, you were either the Black girl or the white girl or the Latina girl. Everything was typecast so being mixed I could get into a lot of rooms that meant as a numbers game I heard 'no' even more.

Recent Developments and Title Controversy

A separate controversy has emerged regarding Markle's use of her royal title. Representatives for the Duchess of Sussex recently addressed claims about her use of the "HRH" designation after a gift card bearing the title appeared during Lima's podcast interview.

The situation arose when Lima showcased a gift basket from Markle containing homemade strawberry sauce and ice cream, accompanied by a card reading "With Compliments of HRH The Duchess of Sussex."

This prompted an official response from the Sussexes' spokesperson, who clarified that the couple does not use HRH titles following their step back from royal duties in 2020.

Career Journey and Industry Impact

Meghan Markle's journey from struggling actress to global figure illuminates persistent challenges within the entertainment industry regarding beauty standards and racial representation.

Her experiences auditioning for commercials and various acting roles demonstrate how conventional beauty standards and racial typecasting affected opportunities for diverse talent in the industry.

The candid discussion on Lima's podcast has brought attention to ongoing issues of diversity and inclusion in both the entertainment and beauty industries.

Markle's willingness to share her pre-royal career struggles provides insight into the challenges faced by actors who don't fit traditional industry molds, while also highlighting the importance of continuing efforts to broaden representation in media and advertising.