Meghan Markle, the former actress turned Duchess of Sussex, has embarked on a remarkable journey that has taken her from the bustling streets of Los Angeles to the grandeur of Buckingham Palace and back. Born in LA and raised with a passion for activism and the arts, Meghan found fame as an actor before marrying Prince Harry. However, royal life proved challenging, leading her to step back from her duties in 2020. Now, Meghan is returning to her roots with a new Netflix show and lifestyle brand, signaling a fresh chapter in her multifaceted career.
From Actress to Duchess: Meghan’s Rise to Royal Status
Meghan Markle’s early life was marked by a blend of Hollywood exposure and social activism. Born Rachel Meghan Markle in Los Angeles, she spent her childhood between her mother, a social worker, and her father, a lighting designer. This duality shaped her into a person who valued both creativity and community service. After graduating from Northwestern University, where she studied acting and international relations, Meghan launched her acting career with roles in various TV shows, eventually landing her breakthrough part as Rachel Zane in “Suits.” Off-screen, she became involved in philanthropy and advocacy, working with organizations like the United Nations and World Vision.
Meghan’s life took a dramatic turn when she met Prince Harry in 2016. Their whirlwind romance led to their engagement in November 2017 and a lavish wedding at St. George’s Chapel in May 2018. As the Duchess of Sussex, Meghan embraced her role with enthusiasm, using her platform to champion causes close to her heart. However, the intense media scrutiny and internal pressures within the royal family began to take a toll on her mental health. In 2020, Meghan and Harry made the difficult decision to step back as senior royals, moving to California to start a new chapter.
New Beginnings: Meghan’s Return to Lifestyle Expertise
In the years following her departure from royal life, Meghan has focused on leveraging her global influence through various ventures. She and Harry signed lucrative deals with Netflix and Spotify, founding Archewell Inc., which serves as an umbrella for both charitable and production activities. Meghan also delved into writing, releasing her first children’s book, “The Bench,” and launching a successful podcast, “Archetypes.” Her legal battles, including winning lawsuits against tabloids, further solidified her resolve to protect her privacy and integrity.
Early 2025 marks a significant return to her lifestyle roots. With the launch of her new Netflix series, “With Love, Meghan,” and her lifestyle brand, As Ever, Meghan is revisiting the themes of home, family, and well-being that she once explored on her blog, The Tig. The show promises to offer insights into her personal life, featuring recipes, gardening tips, and appearances by her celebrity friends. As Ever, initially branded as American Riviera Orchard, now encompasses a broader scope, reflecting Meghan’s vision for a more inclusive and sustainable lifestyle brand. This new phase underscores her commitment to blending her past experiences with her evolving identity, creating content that resonates with a global audience seeking inspiration and connection.
The Trump administration has recently halted online access to income-driven repayment applications for student loans, a move that affects millions of borrowers who rely on these plans for affordable monthly payments. This decision follows a federal court ruling that upheld an injunction on the SAVE plan. Borrowers now face challenges in accessing alternative repayment options, as the remaining available plans typically come with higher monthly payments. Advocacy groups have criticized this action, highlighting its potential impact on working families and those seeking relief through public service loan forgiveness programs.
In late February 2025, the Education Department under the Trump administration removed online applications for income-driven repayment (IDR) plans from the Federal Student Aid website. The removal was a direct response to a federal court decision that upheld a preliminary injunction against the Saving on a Valuable Education (SAVE) Plan. This plan, which aimed to offer borrowers lower monthly payments and faster loan forgiveness, faced legal challenges from several GOP-led states. As a result, borrowers can no longer apply for IDR plans online and must resort to submitting paper applications if they wish to consolidate their loans.
IDR plans, established by Congress in 1993, were designed to provide borrowers with monthly payments based on their income, making it easier for them to manage their debt. These plans also offered loan forgiveness after 20 or 25 years of consistent payments. Many borrowers, especially those enrolled in the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program, relied heavily on IDR plans to reduce their financial burden. With the SAVE plan paused and online applications unavailable, borrowers are left with limited options, such as the standard 10-year repayment plan, which often comes with higher monthly payments.
The controversy surrounding the SAVE plan began when a group of Republican-led states filed a lawsuit last summer to block its implementation. Since then, approximately 8 million borrowers have been in an interest-free forbearance period while the legal battle continues. The latest federal court ruling sent the case back to a district court for a final decision. Meanwhile, borrowers enrolled in the SAVE plan will not be required to make payments until at least December, giving them some temporary relief as student-loan servicers work to update payment plans.
Persis Yu, deputy executive director and managing counsel at the Student Borrower Protection Center, expressed concern over the administration's decision. She stated that shutting down access to all income-based repayment plans was not mandated by the court and accused the Trump administration of making a "cruel choice" that could cause significant hardship for millions of working families. The Education Department has yet to provide guidance on how borrowers should proceed during this period of uncertainty.
The Department of Justice (DOJ) recently unveiled documents from the ongoing investigation into financier Jeffrey Epstein. Despite the considerable anticipation and media hype surrounding this release, it became evident that much of the information was already publicly available. The address book, which included names of notable figures from various sectors, did not contain any groundbreaking revelations. This event has reignited discussions about transparency and the handling of high-profile cases.
Details of the DOJ's Document Release
In a highly anticipated move during the early spring of 2025, the DOJ released a series of redacted files related to the Epstein investigation. Political commentators were seen at the White House carrying binders labeled “declassified,” signaling what many hoped would be a significant disclosure. Attorney General Pam Bondi had previously indicated that substantial new information would be made public. However, upon closer inspection, the documents largely contained previously leaked material that had never been officially released by the U.S. government.
The redacted contact book included names such as Mike Bloomberg, Alec Baldwin, Michael Jackson, Mick Jagger, David Koch, and members of the Kennedy family. Notably, many of these individuals have never faced accusations of misconduct related to Epstein. Additionally, a list of 254 "masseuses" was entirely redacted to protect potential victim information. Epstein was accused of sex trafficking women and girls over an extended period, but the DOJ's release failed to provide any new bombshells, leading to disappointment among those anticipating watershed revelations.
This document release comes years after Business Insider obtained and authenticated one of Epstein’s address books in 2021. A woman discovered the book on a Manhattan sidewalk in the 1990s. Over the years, additional names of associates have emerged through unsealed court documents, further fueling international intrigue and conspiracy theories surrounding Epstein’s case.
Epstein's ties to influential business and cultural figures have drawn global attention. Among those named in his books are former President Bill Clinton, President Donald Trump, and Prince Andrew, Duke of York. Epstein's death in August 2019, ruled a suicide, remains a point of controversy and speculation.
From a journalistic perspective, the lack of new information in the DOJ's release raises questions about the effectiveness and transparency of investigative processes in high-profile cases. It underscores the need for more thorough and timely disclosures to maintain public trust and ensure justice is served. The media's role in managing expectations and providing accurate context is also crucial in such scenarios.