People: Markle picks Ellen over Oprah.
It was just a matter of time before reports began to emerge about Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, working out her first big TV interview following her historic and dramatic exit from British royal life earlier this month.
The Daily Mail is reporting that Meghan has decided to give her first interview to Ellen DeGeneres, citing a source from the host’s eponymous afternoon talk show.
The source told the Daily Mail that DeGeneres and the former TV actress “have already discussed a sit-down interview.” A friend of Meghan’s also told the Daily Mail that she views DeGeneres as “a model of authenticity” and “a kindred spirit” who can truly understand “her pain and suffering.”
Also in DeGeneres’ favor: She is known for her easy, nonconfrontational interview style. So, Meghan will have a sympathetic ear if she wants to address critics who have said she always cared more about being a celebrity than a committed member of the royal family.
But if DeGeneres gets the first shot at Meghan, that means Meghan would be bypassing her friend Oprah Winfrey.
“Ellen getting the first shot at an in-depth interview is surely going to put Oprah’s (and Gayle King’s) nose out of joint,” a source told the Daily Mail. “After all, Oprah wooed Meghan’s mother by having her spend the day in Montecito, wrangled an invite to the wedding and has been pretty vocal in her support of the couple’s decision to break away.”
Meanwhile, “CBS This Morning” anchor King also seemed to be a pretty good candidate to nab the first Duchess of Sussex interview. King attended Meghan’s lavish baby shower in New York City last year and was given exclusive, on-camera access to some of her closest friends for interviews for the CBS prime-time special “Meghan and Harry Plus One,” which aired last May.
But the Daily Mail said DeGeneres has her own personal connections to Meghan and her husband, Prince Harry. DeGeneres and Meghan first met by chance at a Los Angeles animal shelter years ago. DeGeneres encouraged Meghan to adopt her first rescue dog Bogart, and the women have stayed in touch.