Margaret nodded, feeling slightly less nervous. We’re going to talk about your relationship with Richard, the pregnancy, the wedding, and what you’ve been going through since the video went viral. Rebecca explained.
Just speak from your heart and be honest. That’s all you need to do. A production assistant knocked on the door.
Five minutes to air. Margaret’s heart started pounding. This was really happening.
In five minutes she would walk onto that stage and share her story with millions of people. You’ve got this, Rebecca said, giving Margaret’s hand a reassuring squeeze. Just remember, you’re already the bravest woman I’ve met this year.
Everything else is easy compared to what you’ve already survived. The studio audience applauded as Margaret walked onto the stage, her burgundy dress flowing around her pregnant belly. She sat down across from Rebecca trying to steady her breathing.
Welcome to The Morning Voice, Rebecca said to the camera. Today we have a very special guest. Three days ago, a video went viral showing a wedding singer exposing her ex-boyfriend’s betrayal during his ceremony.
That video has now been viewed over 50 million times and has sparked a global conversation about honesty, betrayal and courage. Please welcome Margaret Williams. The audience applauded again and Margaret managed a small smile and wave.
Margaret, thank you for being here, Rebecca began gently. I know this hasn’t been an easy week for you. How are you doing? Margaret took a breath.
Honestly, I’m overwhelmed. A week ago I was just trying to pay my rent and prepare for my baby. Now my face is all over the internet and I’m sitting on your show.
It’s a lot to process. Let’s start at the beginning, Rebecca said. Tell us about your relationship with Richard Cole.
How did you two meet? Margaret settled into her chair and began to tell the story. She talked about meeting Richard two years ago about their relationship about how charming and attentive he had been at first. When did things change? Rebecca asked.
When I got pregnant, Margaret said, her voice soft but steady. I thought Richard would be happy or at least supportive. But instead he looked at me like I had just ruined his life.
He told me I wasn’t the right fit for his world anymore. That I came from the wrong background. That I didn’t have the right connections or status.
He abandoned you because you weren’t wealthy or well-connected enough? Rebecca asked her voice filled with disbelief. Basically yes, Margaret said. He said he needed someone who understood his world.
Someone who could help his career and his image. I was just a singer from a regular family so I wasn’t good enough anymore. The audience murmured with sympathy and anger.
And then what happened? Rebecca prompted. He left, Margaret said simply. He threw some money on the table and walked out of my life.
I didn’t hear from him again until six months later when I was hired to sing at his wedding. Though I didn’t know it was his wedding until I saw his name on the contract. Rebecca leaned forward.
Wait, you didn’t know you were hired to perform at your ex-boyfriend’s wedding until you’d already accepted the job? That’s right, Margaret confirmed. When I saw his name I felt sick. But I desperately needed the money.
I was behind on rent, I could barely afford food and I had a baby coming. Three thousand dollars would have solved so many problems for me. So you decided to do it, Rebecca said.
That must have taken incredible courage. Or incredible desperation, Margaret said with a sad smile. Maybe both.
Rebecca pulled out a tablet and showed the video of Margaret’s performance to the audience on the big screens. As the song played, many people in the audience wiped away tears. When it ended Rebecca turned back to Margaret.
That song, You Left Me But Love Stayed, did you write it specifically for the wedding? I wrote it for myself, Margaret explained. After I accepted the job I kept having these lyrics and melodies running through my mind. I think it was my way of processing all the pain and anger and hurt.
I never actually planned to perform it at the wedding. I was supposed to sing traditional love songs. So what changed? Rebecca asked.
What made you decide to sing your own song instead? Margaret thought carefully about her answer. I was standing on that stage watching Richard and Claire at the altar and I realized something. Richard had hired me because he thought it would make him look powerful, like he’d moved on to bigger and better things while I stayed small and broken.
He wanted to humiliate me. And you decided to flip the script, Rebecca said. I decided to tell the truth, Margaret corrected.
I wasn’t trying to ruin his wedding or get revenge. I was just tired of protecting his lies. Tired of staying silent while he pretended to be a good man.
So I sang the truth. And yes it destroyed his wedding. But the truth has a way of doing that to lies.
The audience erupted in applause. Many people stood up, cheering for Margaret. Rebecca waited for the applause to die down.
Since the video went viral there’s been a lot of discussion online. Some people are calling you brave. Others are calling you vindictive.
What do you say to people who think you were wrong to do what you did? Margaret looked directly at the camera. I understand why some people might see it that way. But I want to ask them this…
