The Tournament of Roses is set to make history by live streaming the annual Rose Parade on January 1st and 2nd, providing access to a wider audience, officials announced on Thursday, December 21st.
As the parade celebrates its 135th edition in 2024, it is customary for a lineup of celebrities to join the hosts in providing commentary.
However, this year’s list has raised eyebrows with the noticeable absence of Megan Markle.
Streaming services such as FuboTV, Christmas Plus, Pluto TV, and Local Now will carry the parade for viewers.
The event will be hosted by CBS anchor Jerrica Duncan, alongside Nickelodeon and Disney anchor Gabrielle Elise, and 17-year-old Dance Moms star Presley Hosback.
The Grand Marshal for this year’s celebration will be Tony, Grammy, and Emmy award-winning actress Audra McDonald.
The festivities commenced with a captivating performance by singer Michelle Williams, accompanied by American Idol star David Archuleta, The Voice 2012 winner Cassidy Pope, and musical artist Rush Davis.
The grand finale will feature a performance by singer Jordan Sparks.
According to the LA Times Magazine, Megan initially received an invitation as a special guest, but Jerrica Duncan, a CBS journalist and anchor, later decided to remove her from the list.
Insiders attribute this snub to Megan’s controversial interview with Oprah Winfrey in March 2021.
Initially, Duncan, a friend of Oprah Winfrey who attended Megan and Harry’s 2018 wedding, supported the couple.
However, her perception changed after watching the interview, leading her to distance herself from Megan, whom she now sees as a troublemaker and a liar.
The Tournament of Roses respected Duncan’s decision and did not object.
Unaware of the change, Megan was reportedly shocked and hurt to learn that she was no longer welcome at the parade.
Sources reveal that she made attempts to reach out to Duncan to salvage their relationship, but her calls and messages went unanswered.
In a bid to seek intervention, Megan approached Oprah Winfrey, hoping she could persuade Duncan to reconsider.
However, Oprah chose not to get involved, stating that it was a matter between Megan and Duncan.
These revelations come in the wake of claims by royal author Tom Bauer, who suggests that Megan Markle aspires to be the queen and sees Kate Middleton as having everything she desires.
Bauer asserts that Megan wanted to do things her own way after joining the royal family, but there is only one way – the royal way.
Speaking to Closer magazine, he states that Kate’s success and popularity undermine Megan’s status.
Despite the Sussexes’ move to California in 2020 and their multi-million dollar deals with Netflix and Spotify, Bauer believes that Megan is fighting a losing battle.
He asserts that Megan could never surpass Kate and that every time she steps into the spotlight, she loses a bit more.
Bauer questions Megan’s belief that she could ever become queen, emphasizing that she lacks the qualifications and dedication that Kate has shown throughout her years with the royal family.
In conclusion, Jerrica Duncan’s decision to remove Megan Markle from the Celebrity Invitees list for the 2024 Rose Parade has caused a stir.
The live stream of the parade will provide an opportunity for millions of viewers to witness the iconic event.
While the festivities kicked off with captivating performances, Megan’s absence has raised questions about her standing in the public eye.
As revelations emerge about her strained relationship with Duncan and her alleged aspirations to become queen, Megan finds herself facing criticism and doubts about her suitability for such a role.