Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, finds herself at the center of controversy as reports emerge that she has been dropped by her Hollywood agency, WME.
However, her spokesperson denies these claims, stating that Meghan has not been let go despite a challenging year.
Yet, there may be more to this story than meets the eye.
According to leaked information from staff members, a tense situation unfolded during a lunch meeting when a representative from WME informed Meghan that she was being fired.
This dispute arose due to L’Oreal’s rejection of Meghan’s request to become the face of their brand in 2024.
Sources from Meghan’s agency reveal that she aspired to secure this lucrative endorsement deal in the new year.
The failed negotiations with L’Oreal highlight the challenges and aspirations that define this new phase of Meghan and Prince Harry’s lives.
Despite setbacks, the couple remains determined to capitalize on their global influence and secure lucrative brand endorsements.
However, some industry insiders express skepticism about Meghan’s prospects.
“I can’t imagine any of the big consumer brands having any interest,” said one industry expert.
“Not only is she disliked by almost everyone and going to demand an obscene amount of money, but they all already have a number of well-liked, polished, beautiful, and hard-working women her age signed on, or who’ve worked for them in the past and have a pre-existing working relationship.”
The expert further explains that big brands, especially those targeting the Gen Z consumer, need to focus on bringing in hot young talent to stay relevant.
Older generations may be loyal to established brands, but the younger demographic seeks novelty and authenticity.
This shift in consumer behavior poses a challenge for Meghan’s ambitions.
Amidst the speculation surrounding Meghan’s future in the entertainment industry, it is worth noting that her name is not listed on the website of her new agency, William Morris.
This absence could suggest that she has quietly been dropped by the agency.
However, the bookings page to hire Meghan as a speaker on the Harry Walker Agency website, a division of WME, remains active.
Described as an exclusive client by the agency, Meghan is touted as a feminist champion of human rights and gender equity, and a global role model.
Nevertheless, both Meghan and Prince Harry were labeled as two of Hollywood’s biggest losers in 2023 by The Hollywood Reporter, casting doubt on their current status within the industry.
The official website of WME does not mention Meghan, indicating a potential rift between the agency and the Duchess.
If Meghan fails to reconcile with the royal family soon, she may gradually lose priority within WME until they eventually part ways.
In such a scenario, a corporate-approved statement would likely be released, stating that both parties have agreed to go their separate ways.
Rumors also circulate about WME’s relationship with Tyler Perry, who has a history of pressuring the agency into signing his friends with limited celebrity work experience.
Lady C, a close friend of Meghan, suggests that Harry’s decision to sign Meghan was driven by a desire to promote diversity in the industry.
Additionally, Serena Williams, another close friend of Meghan, may have played a role in connecting her with WME or Joel Smoller, a guest at Meghan’s wedding in 2018.
In the midst of these agency dramas, it is worth mentioning that BetterUp, a company in which Serena’s husband has a significant investment, has faced its own challenges.
Not only did BetterUp fail to go public in 2023, but they also downsized due to financial difficulties.
Perhaps Serena sees the need to keep Meghan and Harry popular to help secure her husband’s investment.
As Meghan Markle navigates the complexities of the entertainment industry, her future remains uncertain.