Before she became a household name, a duchess, and an international figure, Meghan Markle was just another aspiring actress trying to navigate Hollywood. On a recent episode of her Confessions of a Female Founder podcast, Meghan opened up about her journey in the entertainment industry and the hustle it took to land her breakout role on Suits.
Speaking with Cassandra Morales Thurswell—her former stylist turned CEO—Meghan, now 43, shared intimate details about the challenging early days of her career. “This is pre-Suits for me,” Meghan recalled. “These were the days when I was going from audition to audition, with no clear strategy except to keep pushing forward.”
The Duchess of Sussex noted how important it was to make the most of limited resources during that time. She praised Thurswell for helping her put together a budget-conscious but polished wardrobe that helped her look the part at auditions. One standout item was a pair of black Louboutin flats, which cost her $200—a splurge at the time. “I wore those shoes on my final audition for Suits when I booked the part,” Meghan said.
That audition, of course, changed everything. Her role as Rachel Zane catapulted her to fame and ultimately led her into the global spotlight. Meghan Markle fondly shared that she still holds onto a pencil skirt from her first Suits episode as a sentimental keepsake. “It’s like a time capsule,” she said.
Now living in Los Angeles with Prince Harry and their two children, Meghan Markle reflected on the recent resurgence of Suits in the streaming era. “I’m not surprised people are discovering it again—it was so well written and so well produced,” she said, clearly proud of the project that launched her career.
The podcast episode offered fans a rare, candid glimpse into Meghan Markle’s past—before the royal titles and global fame—reminding everyone of the perseverance and grit behind her success.