Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were noticeably absent from the 95th Academy Awards ceremony on Sunday night, leading to speculation about their standing in Hollywood.
Celebrity PR specialist Carla Spate explained that their absence was not surprising, as their presence would have generated more questions than answers.
With no nominations for their documentary and Meghan currently not acting, it would not have made sense for them to attend the Oscars.
According to Spate, celebrities typically attend awards ceremonies for three reasons: if they have been nominated, if they are networking, or if they have a project to pitch.
In the case of Harry and Meghan, they did not have any of these reasons to be at the Oscars.
Therefore, it is no surprise that they chose not to attend.
While the couple has never attended the Oscars before, rumors circulated that they were once asked to host an award at the 2022 Academy Awards.
However, this idea was ultimately abandoned.
The public’s reaction to their absence from the event echoed Spate’s assessment, with one social media user questioning why Meghan would come when she is not actively appearing in anything.
Speculation arose regarding the couple’s absence, with some suggesting they were concerned about being mocked or disregarded by the audience.
Interest in how they would be treated at the Oscars grew after their portrayal in South Park and Saturday Night Live spoofs.
Public relations expert Matt Yanofsky warned the couple that they would face criticism during the event, as South Park has a history of articulating what others may think but fear to express.
During this year’s Oscars, host Jimmy Kimmel refrained from ridiculing the Sussexes and instead criticized Will Smith for his Chris Rock slap incident.
While their absence from the event may be understandable, there is a growing belief that Hollywood is losing interest in Harry and Meghan.
Kinsey Schofield, host of the To Die For Daily podcast, expressed her belief that the couple expected more support from Hollywood than they have received recently.
She stated that their behavior is causing people to reconsider their association with them.
Harry and Meghan’s absence from Oprah’s 69th birthday in January further fueled rumors of their declining popularity in Hollywood.
Meanwhile, celebrities such as Sharon Stone, Jennifer Lopez, and Kim Kardashian attended the star-studded event.
This followed the alleged snub of the couple at the BAFTA tea party in January due to a perceived PR nightmare.
TV host and former buddy Nick Ede recently claimed that the Sussexes are struggling to compete with Hollywood’s brightest and best.
He stated that they are relatively low on the Hollywood food chain.
These developments have led to speculation about the couple’s future in the entertainment industry.
As the couple navigates their new lives outside the royal family, it remains to be seen how they will be received in Hollywood.
With King Charles set to deliver a historic statement during his first Commonwealth Day service as king, the dynamics within the royal family are also evolving.
The coming months will undoubtedly bring further intrigue and speculation surrounding Harry and Meghan’s Hollywood journey.