Meghan Markle's Response to 'Baby Mama' Dance Video Goes Viral
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.
Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content.
Meghan Markle saying her "Baby Mama" dance video was an example of her being "authentic" went viral on TikTok after she sparked both praise and criticism on social media.
A video Meghan posted to Instagram earlier this month showed her doing Starrkeisha's "Baby Mama" dance in hospital in an effort to induce Princess Lilibet, whose birth was overdue, in 2021.
And on the Aspire with Emma Grede podcast, Meghan said the footage was a "reminder that with all the noise" about her in the media "there's still a whole life, a real, authentic, fun life, that's happening behind the scenes."
Meghan Markle does the 'Baby Mama' dance in an Instagram video.
Meghan Markle does the 'Baby Mama' dance in an Instagram video.
Meghan, Duchess of Sussex/Instagram
Why It Matters
A clip from the interview was liked 9,000 times and viewed 400,000 times after it was posted on TikTok with the on screen caption: "Breaking News: Duchess Meghan Sussex (Markle) addresses her iconic baby mama labor dance video seen around the world!!"
Meghan's original Instagram post sparked some backlash in the media, with some saying she was oversharing about a private moment.
What Meghan Said About 'Baby Mama' Dance
Meghan told the podcast: "I don't think there's any value either in being so rehearsed and just having your talking points and just saying the thing. No, just talk."
"Just be authentic," she continued, "did you see my 'Baby Mama' dance?"
Grede said: "I mean stop it, first of all, can I just tell you, the timing of that, the timing of that... We maybe watched it like 20 times yesterday and I was like, "Is that her? Is that prince Harry there with the fingers?'
"I was like 'ok, ok, get in Harry, let's go.' But that's you, right? Like, that's you in a way that we kind of haven't been able to see you before and I did, like, a little secret cheer. Because I was like, well, that's what I kind of want to see from you."
"But also by the way," Meghan said, "that wasn't yesterday. No, that was four years ago. So it's also a really great reminder that with all the noise, or whatever people do, there's still a whole life, a real, authentic, fun life, that's happening behind the scenes.
"I'm just grateful that now, being back on social as well, I have a place where I can share it on my own terms."
What People Are Saying
One reply to the TikTok video read: "The fact that the baby dance video is literally nothing but an adorable video between husband and wife and people are making it a big deal."
Another read: "I love her, Harry and her family. The h8ters are so jealous. Her skin is glowing."
Not everyone agreed, however, with one reply reading, "'We want privacy' 🙄" and another: "She keeps giving Southpark Material .... 😂."
South Park famously satirized the couple as the "Duke and Duchess of Canada" who toured TV studios protesting with "We Want Privacy" signs.
Media Reactions to Meghan's 'Baby Mama' Dance
Piers Morgan, a longstanding Meghan critic, wrote on X: "We're about 2 months away from the sex tape..."
Columnist Amanda Platell wrote in her Daily Mail column: "Surely this is one of the most sacred and private times in a couple's relationship? What possibly made them think it a good idea to blaze it across social media?
"And having set the pattern, how many more such moments do they have stocked away to release in the days and months to come, in a pathetic, desperate bid for attention?
"Well, I'm sorry to break this to you but the video just made this couple who purport to be fiercely private a laughing stock across the world. Again."
Jack Royston is chief royal correspondent for Newsweek, based in London. You can find him on X, formerly Twitter, at @jack_royston and read his stories on Newsweek's The Royals Facebook page.
Do you have a question about King Charles III and Queen Camilla, Prince William and Princess Kate, Meghan and Harry, or their family that you would like our experienced royal correspondents to answer? Email royals@newsweek.com. We'd love to hear from you.
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