Chrissy Teigen is setting the record straight about Meghan Markle — and reminding everyone why she’ll always have the Duchess’ back.
While attending Hello Sunshine’s Shine Away event on Saturday, October 11, the model and cookbook author opened up to PEOPLE about her recent appearance on season 2 of With Love, Meghan and the friendship she’s built with the Duchess of Sussex.
“I adore her,” Teigen said of Markle, calling the royal “incredibly strong.” The 39-year-old went on to say she doesn’t understand why Markle remains such a lightning rod for public opinion. “It is insane to me how polarizing she is for so many different people, when she really is just such a kind, good person that wants the best for all her friends and the best for people around her, and the best for her own relationship and for her children.”
Teigen pushed back on the idea that Markle’s actions are carefully curated for image purposes, saying that her life is much simpler than the internet makes it out to be. “She just wants those things,” she said to the outlet. “People come up with all these different things that she could be about or what she wants, … [but] it’s not that complicated.”
READ MORE: Meghan Markle Wears One of Princess Diana’s Accessories for Appearance With Prince Harry
The mom of four added that Markle, 44, has learned to rise above the noise. “People are always going to read into what they want to read into,” she said. “I think it’s cool that [Markle] is just like, ‘Listen, say whatever you want. I’m happy and I’m healthy and I feel good.’”
As for Markle, her and husband Prince Harry were recently urged to “read the room” by fans after receiving the Humanitarians of the Year award at Project Healthy Minds’ annual World Mental Health Day Gala a few days earlier. The nonprofit praised the couple for their “leadership, generosity, and unwavering commitment to advancing mental health awareness,” with CEO Phillip Schermer saying their efforts have “made a profound difference in the lives of so many.”
Still, not everyone agreed with the choice. The honor sparked backlash online, with many questioning why the Duke and Duchess were selected for such recognition.
