Royal lookalike: “I get trolled by Meghan haters – I’m worried people won’t hire me!”
Following Prince Harry and Meghan’s bombshell interview, Sarah Mhlanga is worried for her future
The resemblance between Sarah Mhlanga and Meghan Markle is so uncanny that, before the pandemic, she was regularly hired as a lookalike – earning up to £300 per appearance. But the Duchess of Sussex divided public opinion when she made shock claims against the Royal family in a tellall interview with Oprah Winfrey last week. While many have hailed her bravery, others have slammed the ex- Suits actress – and Sarah says she’s concerned for her future as a lookalike after being trolled online.
Sarah, 38, who lives with her husband Jabulani, 40, and their children Josiah, 10, and Mimi-Raie, eight, in Cheshire, says, “I was so emotional when I watched Meghan’s interview. She’s been through such a huge ordeal, and it was time she had her voice heard. As a mum of mixed-race children, hearing Meghan talk about racism in the UK really struck a chord. My children have both been bullied because they are mixed race. It’s heartbreaking.
ABUSE
“But there are some people who feel like she’s waging a war on the royals, and people can’t access Meghan so they’re using me as their punchbag. I get messages saying I’m attentionseeking and that I should be ashamed to represent Meghan. It’s so hurtful.”
Sarah – who is also an actor – realised she was a doppelgänger for the Duchess in August 2017.
She says, “I was at IKEA when the cashier did a double take and told me I looked like Meghan.
My friends and family agreed and eventually I booked my first appearance as Meghan. The Duchess was so loved and my schedule was packed.”
TOXIC ENVIRONMENT
But Sarah says she started to receive abuse on social media towards the end of last year.
She says, “When Meghan and Harry announced they were stepping down as senior royals, I started to receive cruel messages, but it’s got worse since the interview.
“One troll told me I shouldn’t be a lookalike for Meghan because she’s ‘the most hated woman in the world’, and that if I pretend to be her, I deserve the same abuse. It baffles me that people can feel such venom for a woman they’ve never met. It’s given me even more sympathy for the couple.
“Thankfully, I also receive messages from supporters of the Duke and Duchess, thanking me for publicly supporting them.” But Sarah is concerned she may be forced to quit the lookalike business.
She says, “The pandemic has been tough because
I can’t do my usual public appearances. I love Meghan, but now, after this interview, I’m worried people won’t want to hire me. I’ll have been forced out of my job, just like Meghan was forced out of the UK.”
However, Sarah says she’ll continue to show her support for the Duchess.
She says, “She encourages others to be authentic. I just hope that, in time, the royal rift can be mended – it’d be lovely to see a family reunion one day.”
● You can follow Sarah’s lookalike journey via her Instagram account @sarahmhlangaofficial