The Internet Is Convinced A Missouri Mom Is Meghan Markle's Long-Lost Twin
Akeisha Land, 39, is a Missouri-based influencer who has an account devoted to her children, Greyson and Tristan Land.
The internet is convinced Land is Meghan Markle's long-lost twin, thanks to a selfie she posted on Instagram.
Is Land the spitting image of Markle? See for yourself.
Last night, I dreamed that Meghan Markle and Prince Harry knew my name. We met at a party, and Markle stared at me like she'd known me all her life. It was spectacular to be seen so thoroughly by the Duchess, even if she was literally a product of my imagination.
So imagine how good it must feel to look in the mirror, and see Markle staring back at you. Such is life for Akeisha Varnado Land, a Kansas City, MO-based influencer with a stunning resemblance to the actress-turned-royal-turned-"commoner." Yesterday, Land posted a selfie with her daughter, Greyson, on their joint Instagram account (which has a whopping 162k followers).
Naturally, the photo went viral. Just look at it! Land is Markle. Markle is Land. It's hard to know where the Duchess ends, and where the mommy influencer begins.
Commenters on the photo expressed their disbelief at Land's uncanny resemblance to Markle. “Omg I thought you were Meghan Markle for a sec," someone wrote. Another, "You very much look like Markle!" The photo even inspired confusion: "At first I thought it was [Markle]! But I was confused because I couldn't remember following her lol."
This single photo propelled Land to viral stardom. Within the past day, the Markle lookalike has been interviewed by the Daily Mail and E! News, and has been the subject of articles from publications around the world.
Though this swell of media attention is unusual, Land is definitely used to the comparison. Strangers come up to her all the time with the classic opener, "Has anybody ever told you you look just like...?"
"I get compared to her quite often, and not just online. Out and about, whether at church, the movie theater, or at the grocery store...even my close friends and family say I look like her! And even though I myself don’t see the similarities, I definitely take it as a huge compliment," Land told the Daily Mail.
While Land is an influencer, she's not normally the spotlight of her Instagram accounts—her daughter, Greyson, is the star. In fact, Land told BuzzFeed News in 2018 that, while Land originally started the Instagram account for herself, she eventually changed the account's name to focus on Greyson, since people and brands went so gaga over her adorable daughter.
"It’s very different! I’m not used to being in the forefront. I’m used to it being about my kids. It’s overwhelming,” Land told E!News.
The feeling is not necessarily a welcome one. Land told E! News this brush with stardom as given her "anxiety." However, the experience has also made her realize the limelight suits her. "I am going to start to try to be more in front of the camera," Land told E! News.
Also, it's opened up her career possibilities. In addition to running a successful Instagram account, Land can have a thriving job as a Markle's stand-in, now that the Duchess is living in North America with her family.
"I always joke and say I need to have someone reach out to her people to let them know I'm always up for filling in for her as her doppelg?nger if she doesn't want to go to any of the events she's invited to," Land told the Daily Mail.
As for the rest of us? We may not look like Ms. Markle—but we can still channel her wry, knowing smile, and have a powerful day.
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