In a jaw-dropping moment that no one saw coming, Hollywood superstar Ryan Reynolds has taken a very public jab at Meghan Markle—and fans of the Duchess are not amused.
During a recent appearance on the popular podcast Conan O’Brien Needs A Friend, Reynolds made comments that appeared to mock Meghan’s lifestyle brand, American Riviera Orchard, in a segment that quickly spiraled into viral territory.
It all started when Reynolds began joking about his late father being a “middleman for jars of jam.” That oddball line set the stage for host Conan O’Brien to throw in a pointed jab at Meghan Markle. “What? He works for Meghan Markle?” Conan quipped, prompting laughter from both the audience and Reynolds.
The joke didn’t end there. Conan continued, saying, “Tiny jams. Harvestable jams. Made from the oils of Montecito,” in a mocking tone that directly referenced Meghan’s high-end jam offerings, which have recently made headlines for their exclusivity and lavish presentation.
Rather than backing down, Reynolds doubled down on the joke. “If Jimbo Reynolds wasn’t dead, I’d say he is Meghan Markle,” he said with a smirk. “Well adjacent.”
Conan quickly chimed in again, adding fuel to the fire: “Many people have likened the two.” The banter may have been casual, but the pointed humor at Meghan’s expense hasn’t gone unnoticed.
The Duchess of Sussex launched American Riviera Orchard with a wave of curiosity and skepticism. From its cryptic Instagram debut to the reports of limited-edition jars of jam being gifted to celebrity friends, the brand has sparked endless commentary—both admiring and critical.
Ryan Reynolds’ comments have now added a celebrity voice to the latter camp. While he’s known for his sarcastic humor, many royal fans believe the jokes went too far, especially considering the ongoing scrutiny Meghan faces in both the U.S. and the U.K.
Social media exploded shortly after the podcast aired, with some defending the actor’s humor as harmless, and others slamming him for “punching down” on someone already burdened by constant media attacks.
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“Imagine mocking a woman for making jam,” one Twitter user wrote. “Ryan Reynolds is better than this.” Another user commented, “He’s clearly just jealous he didn’t think of bougie jam first.”
However, some fans applauded the moment, claiming it was a much-needed roast in a world where celebrity lifestyle brands can often feel out of touch. “Finally someone said what we were all thinking,” one listener posted. “Tiny jam jars from Montecito? C’mon.”
Despite the online uproar, Meghan Markle has yet to respond to the remarks, and her camp has remained completely silent. But given the brand’s tightly curated public image, it’s unlikely any clapback will come.
For Meghan, whose post-royal ventures have often drawn ridicule—from podcast cancellations to media deals falling through—this latest jab may feel like just another stone in the road. Yet the public ridicule from someone as beloved and influential as Ryan Reynolds certainly stings harder than a tabloid headline.
Interestingly, the backlash against Reynolds has also reignited a broader debate: are celebrity brands fair game for public mockery, or does this cross a line?
Regardless of where one stands, it’s clear that Meghan’s jam—and everything it represents—has become a cultural lightning rod. And now, thanks to Ryan Reynolds, it’s officially late-night comedy fodder.
One thing’s for sure: when even Deadpool is dunking on your jam jars, your brand has officially gone mainstream—for better or worse.
