Last night, actress Eva Mendes made a triumphant return to The Tonight Show as guest host, filling in for Jimmy Fallon. However, it was her no-holds-barred roast of Meghan Markle that had everyone talking.
The episode kicked off with Fallon enthusiastically introducing Mendes. “I am so excited to kick off this week with the amazingly talented Eva Mendes taking over hosting duties. It’s been far too long, so please give a warm welcome to my good friend, Eva!”
With her signature charm, Eva entered the stage, did a playful curtsy, and greeted the audience before launching into her sharp and witty monologue about Hollywood’s latest scandals.
“Girl, it has been non-stop drama over here. Will Smith slapped Chris Rock, Ellen’s leaving The View, the Kardashians are back—it’s exhausting!” Mendes quipped. “But you know who I am keeping up with? The one and only Meghan Markle!”
The crowd erupted with knowing laughter as Eva dove headfirst into a merciless parody of the former royal. “Our girl Meg just can’t stay out of the tabloids, can she? New accusations, surprise royal appearances—she just loves being the center of attention, doesn’t she?”
The audience roared as Mendes went on, mimicking Meghan’s often publicized complaints about her struggles. “Oh, woe is me! The big bad press was so mean! Boohoo, marriage is hard!” Eva teased, dramatically dabbing invisible tears. “My life is so difficult! Being a royal with millions of dollars and fans worldwide was the hardest thing ever!”
By this point, the studio was howling with laughter, eating up Eva’s spot-on impression of Meghan’s public persona. Mendes continued her roast with brutal honesty: “Honey, you need to get over yourself. You signed up for royalty, not a 9-to-5 at the Gap. Either deal with the job you married into or head back to California with your tail between your legs, because the rest of us are so over this endless pity party.”
Just as the crowd’s cheers reached a fever pitch, Fallon pretended to step in and cool things down. “Whoa, whoa, Eva—slow your roll! I think someone in the audience might take offense to those comments.” He teased, setting up a surprise entrance.
Right on cue, Meghan Markle herself walked onto the stage, greeted by loud boos from the audience. Attempting to play it cool, Mendes offered a nervous laugh. “Oh, hi Meghan! Fancy seeing you here. I was just having a little fun, no hard feelings, right?”
But Meghan wasn’t amused. She strode confidently towards Mendes, standing nose-to-nose. “Actually, yes, I do have feelings about your harmful and humiliating imitation. How dare you mock my very real struggles on live television for cheap laughs?” Meghan snapped, sending the audience into an even bigger frenzy.
Unfazed, Eva stood her ground, firing back: “Struggles? Give me a break! The only thing you’ve struggled with is having enough royal titles. Newsflash, sunshine: we’re not buying what you’re selling anymore.”
The heated exchange built to a dramatic stare-down, with the audience cheering wildly. Finally, Fallon stepped between the two stars, trying to defuse the tension. “All right, ladies, let’s keep this civil, please! Eva, thank you for the spirited routine, but maybe ease up on the royal ridicule. And Meg, darling, we’re thrilled to have you, but do try to develop a sense of humor.”
The tension was palpable as Eva and Meghan begrudgingly shook hands. What followed was an excruciatingly awkward interview, with Meghan seemingly determined to twist every question into another tale of self-victimization. By the end of the segment, even her staunchest supporters in the crowd appeared weary of her ongoing complaints.
“She just can’t have a normal conversation without making it all about how hard her life is,” one audience member was overheard saying on their way out. “The entitlement is off the charts.”
While some viewers felt Mendes’ roast was too harsh, many praised her for voicing what they believed: that Meghan’s narrative of constant self-pity has long overstayed its welcome. In a night full of laughs and drama, Eva Mendes proved she’s not afraid to tackle controversy head-on, leaving the audience both entertained and divided.
