Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are feeling the ‘wrath of Hollywood’ with Tinsel Town executives growing tired of the pair. It comes after reports Meghan had been dubbed “Duchess Difficult” and was a “dictator in high heel” who ruled over staff with an iron fist emerged.
Now, the pair’s absence from a post-Emmy party thrown by WME talent agent boss Ari Emanuel, who counts the Duchess among his clients, has set tongues wagging. It has sparked speculation the pair are losing even more influence in LA as they try and carve out a post-royal career.
One source, quoted in the Daily Mail, suggested they were reaping “schadenfreude with extra venom”. It comes with the Duke and Duchess of Sussex preparing for their latest Netflix projects. Meghan will introduce her own cookery show wile Harry will explore the world of polo.
Both projects are their first on the platform in over a year since Harry’s Heart of Invictus dropped on the streaming platform. And their inactivity has not gone unnoticed in showbiz circles.
The allegations of Meghan’s behaviour in the Hollywood Reporter has set tongues wagging and the insider added: “It was only a matter of time before the industry Press started taking shots.
“It’s hard to find anyone with a good word to say for their film and television credibility.” Insiders have also raised questions as to why WME did not quash the article by “threatening and denying access to other stars”.
A senior producer said “mainstream Hollywood [never] took them seriously” and that their production company Archewell “felt to most industry onlookers more like a brand building exercise”. They added: “Netflix were handing out vanity deals like candy at the time and so everybody just shrugged their shoulders and assumed their company wouldn’t get much done despite the generous backing.
“But even Harry and Meghan naysayers would have been shocked at how little they’ve actually achieved. And in the more austere climate of the industry in 2024 when thousands of people have lost jobs and the entertainment industry economy is struggling, there’s now a genuine dislike and distrust towards them by some.”
But the pair do have their defenders. In a passionate article to mark Harry’s 40th birthday, Bryony Gordon said the Duke was “kind, funny and pretty damn normal”. She also said the couple only wanted to “protect their children from an increasingly digital world”.
