TOO FAKE TO HANDLE! 😳 Meghan Markle’s Paris Fashion Week antics—over-the-top poses and forced laughs—are getting SLAMMED as desperate! Fans call her “cringe” for stealing the spotlight in all the wrong ways… What stunt pushed it too far? Check out the video everyone’s buzzing about! 👉
demeanor that stole headlines for all the wrong reasons.
Social media platforms, particularly X and TikTok, lit up with clips dissecting Markle’s behavior. One widely shared video captured her striking poses for photographers, described by critics as “overly theatrical.” Users pointed to a moment where she tilted her head and flashed a broad smile, only to shift abruptly to a serious expression when cameras pivoted, prompting accusations of performing for attention. “She’s acting like she’s on a red carpet, not a runway show,” one X user posted, garnering over 300,000 views. Another clip showed her laughing during a quiet moment in the show, allegedly at a model’s minor stumble, which drew ire for breaking the audience’s composed silence. “It’s giving desperate,” a TikTok commenter wrote, echoing sentiments that Markle was trying too hard to reclaim the spotlight.
Body language experts weighed in, amplifying the narrative. Darren Stanton, speaking for Betfair Slots, analyzed Markle’s gestures, noting “exaggerated” movements that contrasted with her typically reserved demeanor. “Her poses seem rehearsed, almost like she’s channeling her Suits days,” Stanton told The Sun, suggesting a calculated effort to stand out. He pointed to her “over-animated” smiles and frequent hair-tucking as signs of nervousness masked by bravado, a stark contrast to the understated elegance of peers like Wintour. Critics on Reddit called her “cringe,” with one user remarking, “She’s trying to be Diana-level iconic but landing on reality TV vibes.”
The backlash wasn’t limited to her runway behavior. Markle’s interactions at the event fueled further criticism. A now-viral moment involved a botched air kiss with Piccioli, where their faces nearly collided, prompting tabloid headlines about her “rude” overfamiliarity. Sources close to the event described Piccioli laughing it off, but social media spun it as a snub, with one X post claiming, “Even the designer looked embarrassed by her antics.” Her warm embrace with Wintour and a cheek kiss from director Baz Luhrmann were smoother but still drew scrutiny, with detractors arguing she was “name-dropping” through physicality to boost her image.
Markle’s trip was framed as a strategic move to bolster her post-royal brand. After stepping back from royal duties in 2020, she and Prince Harry have focused on media and philanthropy ventures from their Montecito home. Her Netflix series With Love, Meghan, a lifestyle show launched in 2025, has faced lukewarm reception, with viewership trailing expectations. Her appearance at Balenciaga, coupled with a dinner at Sugaar restaurant in a backless black gown and an after-party in another Balenciaga dress, signaled an attempt to align with fashion’s elite. Yet, the choice of Balenciaga—a brand still recovering from a 2022 ad scandal involving children—drew criticism. “She’s picking controversial brands to seem edgy, but it’s backfiring,” one fashion blogger noted on X.
Supporters, however, argue the criticism is overblown, rooted in a pattern of disproportionate scrutiny. A source close to Markle told Newsweek, “She was there to support a friend and celebrate artistry. The hate is just tabloid clickbait.” Fans on social media praised her polished look, with one Instagram post calling her “a breath of fresh air” in a sea of predictable fashion attendees. They pointed to her history with Piccioli, who designed pieces for her during key moments like the 2022 Invictus Games, as evidence of a genuine connection. “She’s allowed to enjoy herself,” one supporter tweeted, dismissing the “fake” label as misogynistic.
The Balenciaga show itself was a triumph for Piccioli, who introduced loose, empowering silhouettes inspired by Cristóbal Balenciaga’s 1957 sack dress. Featuring flat shoes, billowing skirts, and vibrant feather accents, the collection aimed to redefine the brand’s streetwear-heavy image with couture elegance. “Fashion should liberate, not constrain,” Piccioli told Vogue backstage, earning applause for his vision. Markle’s presence, however, became a lightning rod, overshadowing the collection for some. Fashion insiders noted her attendance boosted Balenciaga’s visibility, with X posts crediting her for driving online buzz, even if negative.
This incident fits a broader narrative from Markle’s Paris trip, which included controversies over a limo video near Princess Diana’s crash site and a perceived laugh at the Balenciaga show. Each moment has been dissected as evidence of her struggle to navigate public life post-royalty. Royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams told the Daily Express, “Meghan’s every move is seen as a performance because she’s no longer a working royal. She’s caught in a cycle of trying to prove herself.” He contrasted her with Princess Diana, whose effortless charisma captivated without seeming contrived.
The media’s role in amplifying these moments has drawn scrutiny. Tabloids like the Daily Mail, often accused of targeting Markle, have been criticized for sensationalizing minor gestures. A Sussex insider quipped, “The same outlets that chased Diana now profit from Meghan’s every step.” Yet, the public’s appetite for such stories persists, with the Balenciaga clip amassing millions of views across platforms. The polarized reaction—fans celebrating her boldness, detractors calling it desperation—underscores the challenge of her rebranding efforts.
Markle’s Paris itinerary continued undeterred. She posted Instagram Stories of the Eiffel Tower and Arc de Triomphe, focusing on the city’s beauty rather than the controversies. Her solo trip, without Prince Harry, who remained in California with their children, Archie and Lilibet, highlighted her independence but also fueled speculation about their dynamic. Harry’s focus on the Invictus Games and philanthropy contrasts with Markle’s pivot to fashion and entertainment, raising questions about their long-term strategy as a couple.
The Balenciaga controversy also reignites debates about authenticity in celebrity culture. Markle’s background as an actress invites accusations of “performing” in public settings, a charge less frequently leveled at non-actor figures. Her supporters argue this reflects a double standard, with similar behavior from others—like Sánchez Bezos’ animated runway reactions—going unnoticed. Critics, however, see it as evidence of inauthenticity, with one X user stating, “She’s playing a role, but the audience isn’t buying it.”
As Paris Fashion Week wound down, with upcoming shows like Matthieu Blazy’s Chanel debut, Markle’s appearance remained a talking point. The scrutiny extends beyond her actions to her brand choices, with Balenciaga’s controversial history adding fuel. Yet, her ability to draw attention—positive or negative—underscores her enduring influence. Fashion analyst Caryn Franklin told The Telegraph, “Meghan’s presence guarantees headlines, which is both her strength and her burden.”
In the end, the “overacting” narrative may fade, but it highlights the relentless lens on Markle’s public life. Whether her poses and laughs were calculated or spontaneous, they’ve cemented her as a polarizing figure. For Piccioli, the debut was a success, but for Markle, Paris Fashion Week became another chapter in a saga of scrutiny, where every gesture is a potential stunt—or a misstep magnified.