In a particularly heated episode of *The View*, longtime co-host Joy Behar made waves with her comments about Meghan Markle, referring to her as the “Bimbo of the Year.” The comment, which was quickly met with a mixture of shock, laughter, and anger, highlighted Behar’s growing frustration with Markle’s public persona. As the panel discussed Meghan’s latest media appearance, Behar’s remark seemed to be aimed at criticizing what she viewed as Meghan’s calculated media strategy, accusing the Duchess of prioritizing fame and influence over genuine contributions to society.
The context of Behar’s statement came amid ongoing discussions about Meghan Markle’s high-profile ventures, including her podcast *Archetypes* and appearances at major events. On *The View*, the conversation began with Meghan’s claims about being objectified in Hollywood and feeling labeled as a “bimbo” while working on *Deal or No Deal* in the early 2000s. While some of the co-hosts empathized with Meghan’s reflections, Behar took a more critical stance.
Behar argued that Markle's narrative seemed disingenuous, pointing out that Meghan knowingly accepted roles that objectified women and later used her experiences for public sympathy. Behar suggested that Markle had consistently chosen paths that boosted her fame while portraying herself as a victim of the entertainment industry and the media.
The co-host’s criticism peaked when she remarked, “If anyone’s going to win ‘Bimbo of the Year,’ it’s Meghan Markle for all the contradictions she keeps bringing to the table.” Behar’s words were clearly aimed at Markle’s decision to both condemn and benefit from the public’s fascination with her celebrity status.
The response to Behar’s comment was immediate. Her co-hosts were visibly taken aback, with Sunny Hostin quickly attempting to steer the conversation back to a more measured tone. Hostin defended Markle, highlighting the pressures of being a woman of color in the public eye and the scrutiny Markle faces as a royal figure. “I don’t think it’s fair to reduce her entire narrative to something so simplistic,” Hostin responded, challenging Behar’s perspective.
Social media erupted shortly after the episode aired. Many viewers expressed outrage over Behar’s comments, accusing her of being unnecessarily harsh and perpetuating a harmful narrative about women. Markle’s fans were quick to defend her, calling Behar’s remark sexist and out of line. They pointed out that Meghan has used her platform to address important issues, such as mental health, racism, and women’s rights.
Others, however, sided with Behar, believing that Markle’s public persona has been marked by contradictions. They felt that the former actress has repeatedly manipulated her image to fit whichever narrative suits her current goals. Some viewers echoed Behar’s sentiments, expressing fatigue over Meghan’s perceived self-victimization in the media.
At the time of the controversy, neither Meghan Markle nor her representatives responded to Behar’s remarks. However, some royal experts speculated that Markle would use the incident to further fuel discussions about the media’s treatment of women, particularly those in the public eye.
Joy Behar’s “Bimbo of the Year” comment sparked a polarizing debate, illustrating the growing divide between those who view Meghan Markle as a misunderstood figure and those who see her as a calculated celebrity navigating her way through fame. Behar’s unfiltered critique, while divisive, tapped into ongoing frustrations that some people hold about the Duchess of Sussex.
