A-List celebrities keep their distance

Meghan Markle’s recent visit to the Hamptons for a women’s business summit was met with some interesting dynamics, according to reports. The Duchess of Sussex was spotted mingling with her close friend Misha Nonoo and makeup mogul Bobbi Brown, but noticeably absent were any photos of her with other high-profile attendees like Gwyneth Paltrow, Reese Witherspoon, and Diane Sawyer.

As one insider told NewsNation’s Paula Froelich: “They know that if they are in a picture with Meghan it is a tacit approval of her that she can use to promote herself. Meghan can show up at events where they are at, move into their neighborhood…but they are not friends.”

It seems the A-list celebrities in attendance were cautious about being photographed with Markle, likely to avoid any perceived endorsement or association. As the source noted, “Meghan can show up at events where they are at, move into their neighborhood…but they are not friends.”

Celebrities mingle, but not with Markle

Markle, who flew in from Santa Barbara, California, with entrepreneur Jamie Kern Lima, was reportedly looking to network with female founders and gather tips ahead of the official launch of her lifestyle brand, American Riviera Orchard.

The summit was hosted by power broker Amy Griffin at her $13 million estate, and the guest list included other notable names like Weight Watchers CEO Sima Sistani, Spanx founder Sara Blakely, and cosmetics guru Victoria Jackson.

Despite the apparent hesitation from some attendees to be photographed with Markle, the Duchess seemed to make the most of the event, mingling with her close friend Misha Nonoo and makeup mogul Bobbi Brown. It’s an interesting glimpse into the dynamics at play when a high-profile figure like Markle attends an exclusive event, and the careful considerations that some may take to maintain their own public image and associations.