Meghan Markle addresses wearing a 'wig' following concerns over her hair
Meghan claimed that she was advised to wear a wig during her time in Hollywood
Meghan Markle has revealed she was advised to wear a wig following concerns over her natural hair.
The Duchess of Sussex, 43, opened up during a candid conversation on a bonus episode of her podcast, Confessions of a Female Founder, with Tina Knowles – matriarch of the Knowles family and mother of singer Beyoncé.
The pair discussed the realities of hair care in the spotlight.
Meghan Markle addresses wearing a ‘wig’
Reflecting on her time as an actress, Meghan revealed she had been advised by colleagues to wear wigs to protect her natural hair from damage.
“I remember so many other actresses, especially if you’re in that grind, they said: ‘You are going to fry your hair.’ Everyone was recommending that I should start wearing wigs. I never ended up doing it,” Meghan shared.
“By the way, if I was in that industry longer, I understand why you need to protect your hair in that way.”
Meghan also took a nostalgic trip down memory lane, recalling the long hours spent in salons as a teenager.
The duchess said: “Oh my gosh, I remember me with all my hair growing up. My mum [Doria Ragland] would have to drop me off at the hair salon. I would sit there for three to four hours for them to press and curl my hair, and that was at the age of 13.”
Does Meghan Markle wear a wig or extensions?
While speculation has long swirled around Meghan’s hair, there’s no evidence that she wears extensions or a wig.
Her UK hair stylist George Northwood previously shut down the rumours that she wore extensions.
“People think that Meghan has had hair extensions. But I never put any extensions in her hair in the two years that I worked with her. It’s all her own hair,” George told The Telegraph in 2020.
Speaking with Tina Knowles, Meghan noted that even for those who don’t regularly heat-style their hair, environmental factors like UV rays and sun exposure can cause significant damage.
I remember so many other actresses, especially if you’re in that grind, they said: ‘You are going to fry your hair.’
“Our hair is like our skin. We’re exposed to all sorts of things that need extra care,” Meghan said. She described the Knowles family’s haircare line Cécred as a “holistic” approach to nurturing hair health.
Tina, who opened her first Headliners salon in Texas in 1990, shared her own experiences in the industry.
She also reflected on the challenges Beyoncé faces as a performer.
Tina said: “She’s on a stage with hot lights. She wears wigs, and she’s managed to keep her hair beautiful and healthy. That’s not an easy task when you’re in show business.”
Meghan agreed, calling it a “testament” to Beyoncé’s care and discipline.
Meghan and Beyoncé’s friendship
Meghan’s connection to the Knowles family stretches back several years. She and Prince Harry first met Beyoncé and her husband Jay-Z at the London premiere of The Lion King in 2019, where Beyoncé greeted Meghan warmly with a hug, calling her “my princess”.
Their bond has quietly grown over the years. Meghan revealed in the 2022 Harry & Meghan Netflix documentary that Beyoncé reached out to her after the couple’s explosive 2021 Oprah interview.
In private messages, Beyoncé reportedly told Meghan she was “selected to break generational curses that need to be healed”.
Meghan has since attended multiple Beyoncé concerts, including the Renaissance tour in 2023 and the Cowboy Carter tour in 2025.
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