Meghan Markle Looks Almost Unrecognizable in Throwback Photos From Her Nickelodeon Days

Before Meghan Markle became a global figure as the Duchess of Sussex, she was a driven young woman who had her first moment in the spotlight at just 12 years old. Throwback pictures of Markle during her first-ever television appearance on Nickelodeon in 1993 show a shocking transformation. The pictures feature Markle with jet black, natural, curly hair.

Markle appeared on Nick News after taking a stand against a sexist commercial for Ivory Dishwashing Liquid. The ad’s tagline, “Women are fighting greasy pots and pans,” didn’t sit well with the pre-teen. Encouraged by a school assignment, she penned a letter to Procter & Gamble, urging them to change the wording to include 'people'. Surprisingly, her efforts didn't go in vain as the commercial was revamped— a feat that landed her a spot on the popular Nickelodeon program, as reported by The List.

Linda Ellerbee, the host of Nick News, reflected on Markle’s determination in an interview years later. Ellerbee exclaimed, "She believed in women, she believed in her own power, and she wasn't afraid to reach out and say I want my power, I want my rights." This same drive and confidence extended to Markle’s time in Hollywood when she appeared in roles on shows like CSI: NY, Deal or No Deal, and the popular legal drama Suits and gained widespread recognition.

Even then, Markle’s advocacy was apparent. She famously stood her ground when her Suits character, Rachel Zane, was written into scenes wearing nothing but a towel. She recalled, "I said, no, not doing it anymore. I called the creator...and I was like, it's just gratuitous, we get it, we have already seen it once. So I think at a certain point you feel empowered enough to just say no." After marrying Prince Harry in a grand royal wedding in May 2018 and becoming the Duchess of Sussex, Markle transitioned into a completely different phase of her life.

As per Life & Style magazine, reflecting on her big day, she exclaimed, “A great level of detail went into the planning of our wedding day…We knew how large the scale of the event would be, so in making choices that were really personal and meaningful, it could make the whole experience feel intimate.” The couple welcomed their son, Archie, in 2019 and their daughter, Lilibet, in 2021.

Throughout her journey, Markle has consistently used her platform to champion causes close to her heart. From delivering a speech at the UN Women’s Conference in 2015 to shedding light on gender-based violence and education after joining the royal family, Markle’s passion for advocacy has never waned. She also wrote an essay in 2017 for Time magazine addressing the stigma surrounding menstruation in developing countries.