Meghan Markle, known as the Duchess of Sussex, finds herself entangled in a web of deceit that has led to her losing the respect and backing of the Screen Actors Guild (SAG), the prominent union representing actors in Hollywood.
The President of SAG, Fran Drescher, a seasoned actress renowned for her role in The Nanny, recently declared that Markle is prohibited from attending or engaging in any forthcoming SAG awards ceremonies.
This decision follows the revelation that Markle fabricated having a SAG card at the onset of her acting career.
Having tied the knot with Prince Harry in 2018 and subsequently relocating to California in 2020, Markle has been striving to reinvigorate her acting pursuits and establish a name for herself in the realm of Hollywood.
Teaming up with Harry, she inked a lucrative deal with Netflix to produce a range of content including documentaries, films, and shows for the streaming platform.
Throughout the previous year, Markle participated in several high-profile interviews, shedding light on her early struggles as an actress in Los Angeles.
During an interview with Oprah Winfrey, Markle disclosed that she had to fend for herself without the support of representation or the Hollywood machinery, despite possessing her SAG card.
However, these assertions were contradicted by a former colleague who collaborated with her on the set of General Hospital back in 2002.
This anonymous colleague came forth with documentation indicating that Markle received $1,500 for her stint on the soap opera, which did not necessitate a SAG card given the payment fell below $5,000.
Further scrutiny ensued as journalists and industry insiders delved into the matter, unearthing that Markle did not acquire her SAG membership until 2014, over a decade after embarking on her professional acting journey in Los Angeles.
This revelation not only undermines Markle’s credibility but also raises questions about her honesty, as it implies that she misled the public during her interviews by insinuating she held her SAG card from the outset.
The news of Markle’s deception reached SAG President Fran Drescher, who expressed profound dismay at Markle’s lack of integrity and disregard for the union.
Drescher, at the helm of SAG AFTRA since 2022, condemned Markle’s actions as a disrespect to the hardworking actors who earned their SAG cards through unwavering dedication and sacrifices.
Emphasizing that Markle had no entitlement to claim membership or association with SAG, Drescher announced Markle’s exclusion from all future SAG awards ceremonies, highly esteemed events within the entertainment industry.
In response to Drescher’s announcement and the allegations surrounding her SAG card fabrication, Markle has maintained silence alongside Harry on their social media platforms.
Sources close to Markle revealed her feelings of devastation and humiliation following the ban, portraying her sense of betrayal and abandonment by the union she once considered an ally.
Markle’s aspirations to leverage the SAG awards as a platform to exhibit her talent, network with industry peers, and validate her standing as a serious actress have been thwarted by the recent turn of events.