Megan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, was recently spotted in a tense confrontation with her agent, Jill Smoller, at Lucky’s Steakhouse in Montecito, California.
The incident, which took place on Sunday night, was captured in a photo shared on Instagram by Deux Moi.
The close-up image provided an intimate view of the intense conversation between the two.
Witnesses at the scene described Markle’s demeanor as less than pleasant, with frustration and negativity evident from the moment she entered the restaurant.
Interestingly, Markle’s choice of dining venue raised eyebrows, as she was typically seen enjoying sushi outings with her husband, Prince Harry, who prefers steak from Lucky’s.
This shift in preference led to questions about her decision-making process.
According to sources, Markle had met with Jill Smoller, who is associated with Serena Williams as her agent and senior vice president of sports at William Morris Endeavor (WME) for over two decades.
The discussion apparently turned sour when Jill disclosed Markle’s failure to secure any deals.
Witnesses recounted a heated exchange where Markle’s frustration escalated, shedding light on her apparent desperation and agitation.
Markle signed with the elite talent agency WME in April, while Prince Harry did not.
However, three months later, Markle is still unemployed, leading to various rumors surrounding her name.
One PR expert commented that the length of time without securing a deal is longer than expected, suggesting that Markle may be struggling to find a footing in Hollywood.
Despite the setback, Markle and Prince Harry’s lucrative partnership with Netflix seems to be moving forward.
They had previously signed a $20 million deal with Spotify but parted ways with the streaming service.
PR expert Kieran Elsby believes that Markle’s association with WME will be a major coup for the agency, stating that it is good business to have her on their roster.
However, the fact that three months have passed without any news of Markle securing deals raises questions about her Hollywood prospects.
Meanwhile, Eric Schiffer, head of reputation management consultants, speculates on the reason why Prince Harry did not sign with WME.
He suggests that Prince Harry’s royal DNA may have made him uncomfortable signing with the agency at this point in his life.
Schiffer advises Prince Harry to focus on moving forward and stop dwelling on the past.
Instead of publicly discussing his family ties in his memoir, Spare, Schiffer recommends that Prince Harry address his emotional pain in private conversations with his father.
He encourages Prince Harry to refocus on using his media attention and royal status to make a positive impact on issues such as equality, the environment, and mental health.
For Markle, working with WME is a significant opportunity.
The agency will provide her with strategic counsel and valuable relationships that can elevate her brand and lead to bigger and better deals typically available to A-list talent.
Despite the current challenges, Markle’s association with WME holds promise for her future in Hollywood.