Abigail Spencer, who we know and love from Suits and Timeless, recently appeared on The Kelly Clarkson Show to promote her newest show, Extended Family. And Meghan Markle’s name entered the chat. Which happens a lot, when it comes to our favorite fraudulent legal drama. But, for once, it didn’t actually feel disrespectful to everyone else, annoying, forced, or awkward. Instead of being like, “OMG. Stop with the royal obsession. Let these people talk about their own careers, and stop making up lies about this woman, you weirdos,” we got to just…enjoy what Spencer had to say. In fact, we got to smile — fangirl, even.
It was the perfect opportunity to take comfort in our memories of Rachel Zane, the brilliant paralegal-turned-lawyer, the one who super-brained Mike Ross couldn’t manage to wipe his own you-know-what without. The one who could have been a nepo baby but chose to earn her own way, who got The Jessica Pearson to work an Innocence Project case with her. More importantly, we also got a much-needed break from being irritated about everyone always harassing the Suits cast about Meghan Markle. And/or, you know, acting like she was the lead. Instead, Spencer’s little anecdote just…made us remember our love for the absolute talent who portrayed Rachel like no one else ever could have.
So, why is this night different from all other nights? why is this interview different from all other interviews? Easy. Kelly Clarkson wasn’t all, “OMG. So, Suits is totally The Duchess of Sussex Show. OMGZ. What is she like??? Tell me about the wedding!!! Do you still talk to her?????” Nope. There was just a natural progression. It went like, Extended Family costar Donald Faison’s longtime friendship with Zach Braff, to Faison and Spencer meeting through him, to Clarkson asking if Spencer had any similar friendships like the Faison/Braff one, to an answer that included a random pilot audition with a potential onscreen BFF…who just happened to be Markle. Which, of course working on Suits together followed from there.
Like, as in, Abigail Spencer mentioned “beautiful, gorgeous creature” Meghan Markle on The Kelly Clarkson Show. They had an “immediate…something,” and the rest, as they say, is history. Part of that history: “Meg” voted for Clarkson on American Idol, and she wanted Clarkson to know she loves her. No stalker behavior required to get to this point! And, rather than dwell on the unsolicited shoutout, or get gross and weird about the “Harry and Meghan” of it all, Clarkson masterfully used that as a transition to what Faison and Spencer were actually there to talk about — Extended Family. Queen sh*t.
Watch Abigail Spencer & Donald Faison on The Kelly Clarkson Show here.
Watch Abigail Spencer and Donald Faison in Extended Family Tuesdays at 8:30/7:30c on NBC. And, of course, you can stream Spencer and bff Meghan Markle in Suits on Peacock or Netflix. (Or, if you’re like us, just run it on repeat in your awesome Suitor brains. And, for the record, we’re still not here for the spinoff.)
