Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, is reportedly facing disappointment as her close friend and director of the short film “The After,” Misan Hariman, has refused to bring her as his plus one to the Oscar red carpet.
According to a source, Meghan had requested Misan to accompany her to the prestigious event, but he declined due to her alleged unreasonable demands.
“The After” has recently received a nomination for Best Live Action Short Film at the 2024 Oscars.
This news was shared by Meghan’s paid tabloid, Hello!
magazine, which also highlighted her close friendship with Misan, who currently serves as the chair of the Southbank Centre.
Misan gained recognition in 2021 when he captured the photograph that Meghan and Prince Harry used to announce their second pregnancy.
Additionally, he has taken pictures of the couple’s daughter, Lilibet.
Meghan has been actively supporting “The After” and attended an LA Tastemakers event in November, where she engaged with Misan and the film’s lead actor, David Oyelowo.
The short film has already garnered several awards, including the Best Short Film accolade at the Astra Film Awards and the African American Film Critics Association.
Despite Meghan’s enthusiasm for the project, it seems her desires to attend the Oscars alongside Misan have been thwarted.
According to an anonymous source on Blind Item, Meghan’s demands were deemed excessive and led to Misan’s refusal.
Allegedly, she wanted final approval of the presenter’s script to ensure no jokes or remarks about her and Prince Harry, as well as to secure praise for herself.
Furthermore, she wished to be informed about seating arrangements and the attire of other women attending the event.
However, it appears that Meghan’s actions in the past have resulted in her being excluded from the Oscar invite list.
The source also highlighted Meghan’s previous behavior during the SAG strike, where she neither participated nor expressed support on social media.
Instead, she was seen seated next to Sarandos at a Beyoncé concert, which allegedly did not sit well with Hollywood insiders.
This lack of solidarity with fellow actors and writers may have contributed to her current predicament.
The source emphasized that Hollywood has a long memory and Meghan’s actions have alienated her from the very people she needs for support.
As for Misan Hariman, taking Meghan as his plus one could potentially harm his career.
The source suggests that Misan’s association with Meghan and Harry might not be well-received in Hollywood, where connections and alliances play a crucial role.
Additionally, the source mentions the concept of being “Markled,” implying that aligning oneself with Meghan and experiencing the negative consequences of her reputation is a real concern.
It is worth noting that the category for Best Live Action Short Film may not be part of the televised main event, as the Oscars have attempted to keep the broadcast concise by focusing on the top awards.
This could explain why Meghan’s hopes of attending the ceremony were dashed.
Despite her disappointment, it seems unlikely that Meghan will ever receive nominations for highly esteemed awards like the Oscars.
The source suggests that her recognition will likely be limited to awards that can be bought or influenced.
In conclusion, Misan Hariman’s refusal to bring Meghan Markle to the Oscar red carpet has caused disappointment for the Duchess.