Meghan isn’t trying to go viral, she’s just being authentic

Meghan Markle’s throwback labour video was met with a wave of fresh criticism around the world, and the reaction reveals a sad reality.

COMMENT

Can we all just leave Meghan alone?

Yes, that ’00s reference holds today because Meghan Markle (apologies, Sussex) can’t catch a break no matter what she posts or who she hosts.

While I was sceptical of the rainbow sprinkles as well, and I wasn’t overwhelmed by her show, the backlash over her video has me firmly on Team Meghan.

At the start of 2025, Meghan made her return to Instagram after a decade-long hiatus, following Royal Family protocol. And when she returned, she was unashamedly Meghan, keeping a curated “realness” of her life. And that’s precisely what she did to celebrate Lilibet’s birthday.

When even a birthday message is copping hate, we’ve gone too far

She shared her dance in the delivery suite as she tried to encourage her labour to begin. She said she tried everything to get things moving, so she took to dancing as a last resort.

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I’ve had three babies myself and know a lot of women who have also given birth. When it comes to tips and tricks to kickstart labour, many pregnant women will admit they’ve tried them all, from the G-rated (curb walking or eating a pile of dates) through to the R18+ (having sex with your partner, god forbid), there’s no judgement.

Because that final week (or weeks) of pregnancy should be named “I’m Over It” or “Time To Vacate”. That’s the point where patience runs thin, energy is low, sleep deprivation is already a thing, and every trick in the book is attempted in hopes of getting things moving. Whether it’s walking, bouncing on a yoga ball, or, yes, dancing shamelessly around the room — anything to bring on that beautiful, albeit exhausting, moment when labour begins. It’s a time when the mind needs to be distracted, the body needs to stay active, and for some (think of every parenting influencer you follow on social media) there’s an urge to share these final moments of pregnancy with the world in a way that feels authentic. Meghan is no different.

In the clip, Meghan could be seen dancing to the viral Baby Momma Dance Song while in hospital.

I danced too when I was pregnant, Meghan!

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Imagine you’ve been thinking about this milestone for nine months (or more). You look down at your belly and say, “OK, baby, it’s time!” The problem is, babies don’t have a calendar or a watch; they run on their own schedule, thank you very much.

Once you’ve hit 40 weeks, as the song says, “Been pregnant for way too long!”

Don’t worry, Meghan, I danced too!

Meghan’s pre-labour dance came at the end her second pregnancy. She’d been down this road before. She wasn’t going to wait any longer, and she knew what she had to do.

And let’s face it — dancing at 40 weeks, whether you’re a duchess or not, isn’t sexy. It might even be cringey. But hey, she’s human.

Meghan Markle shares a photo of herself and her kids on a Mother’s Day post on Instagram. Picture: Instagram

I was doing the same jig almost three years ago when I was due with my third baby boy. I was cautious and reserved during my first two pregnancies, and by the third time, I just wanted to have fun with it. And in the words of Lizzo, it was “about damn time”.

I was proud to share this moment with my friends and family. For sure, some people were laughing at my expense, but I couldn’t hear them or see them from the delivery room.

I posted it to celebrate and bring joy into the room while also desperately wanting my labour to start and finally be on the other side of this whole journey. I also knew that once I posted, I wouldn’t be hit with a tidal wave of hate – the upside of being a non-celebrity.

OK, I’ll admit, I hoped for a “like” from Lizzo or a dream scenario repost, but I didn’t censor myself because I was worried about what people would say.

And yet, when Meghan shares a moment like this, she’s immediately criticised for being “too much.” She gets called out for being too polished when she shares the perfectly manicured, PR-approved moments. And when she dares to show a more human side — a mother feeling silly, a wife being playful with her husband, a woman not trying to be anyone other than herself — she’s labelled “cringe”. It’s exhausting, and frankly, boring.

Meghan Markle unveiled heartwarming photos to celebrate her daughter Lilibet’s fourth birthday. Picture: Instagram

She posted two black-and-white photos. Picture: Instagram

If you don’t like her, just keep scrolling.

Meghan’s dance is what we, as her followers, demanded of her: real, unfiltered moments. If the “Baby Mama Dance” was shared by any other celebrity or regular mum-to-be, it might’ve just been celebrated for being fun and relatable. But because it’s Meghan, who’s been under a microscope since she was first linked to Harry nearly a decade ago, it becomes fodder for criticism.

The truth is, no matter what she does, she’s always going to be criticised. And that is just really sad.

No matter what she does, she’s always going to be criticised. Pictured on the Jamie Kern Lima podcast show.

Aussie mum of three Jordana Shell says the Meghan bashing has gone way too far. Picture: Supplied

I want to believe in a world where fellow mothers who have been overdue or had their baby on their due date aren’t hating on her while watching this video. Because as we all know, pregnancy and parenthood are hard enough without the added layer of keyboard warriors.

So let’s assume we do live in this utopia where mums don’t hate on other mums for dancing to induce labour — this goes out to the partners too, who get a front-row seat in the delivery room.

And to everyone else, strap on a watermelon and two rockmelons, then go about your regular everyday activities … it won’t be long before you’re twerking your way out of wearing the fruit salad on your belly and chest.

Regardless of your personal opinion of Meghan, in this raw, unfiltered moment, she is just a woman, a mum, about to become a mother for the second time. Trying to have a laugh with her husband by her side knowing she has a very challenging few hours ahead.

So let’s all find something better to critique.

Originally published as Meghan isn’t trying to go viral, she’s just being authentic