Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, has found herself in the midst of a heated dispute with the Deleon-E agency after they declined to cover the $75,000 fee required for her to obtain a star on the prestigious Hollywood Walk of Fame.
The Walk of Fame selection committee, made up of past honorees, carefully selects new recipients from a pool of numerous nominations.
Established in 1960, the Hollywood Walk of Fame boasts over 2,700 stars embedded in the sidewalks, spanning 15 blocks of Hollywood Boulevard and 3 blocks of Vine Street in Los Angeles.
Not only is it a renowned tourist attraction, but it also represents a unique honor that can be shared with fans.
Unlike awards such as Oscars, Grammys, or Tonys, which are often displayed in someone’s home, the Walk of Fame star rests on the sidewalk, allowing fans to sit beside it, take photos with it, and engage with it as an interactive award.
Honorees are selected across six categories, including motion pictures, television, live theater, performance, radio, recording, and sports entertainment.
Recent reports indicate that Macaulay Culkin, known for his roles in films like “Home Alone” and “Richie Rich,” received a Walk of Fame star this week.
During the ceremony, Culkin expressed his gratitude, stating, “Thank you to the Walk of Fame committee for honoring me in this way.
I feel such esteem from this whole thing.”
He emphasized the enduring popularity of “Home Alone,” a beloved global sensation that continues to be cherished by families worldwide.
In contrast, Meghan Markle’s nomination was reportedly removed for two primary reasons.
Firstly, nominees must have a minimum of five years of experience in the relevant category and a history of charitable contributions.
Unfortunately, Meghan falls short of meeting these criteria, as she lacks five years of experience in any of the star criteria categories, and her charitable work has been called into question.
Additionally, her Netflix movie is only one year old, further complicating her eligibility.
Secondly, Meghan’s refusal to pay the requested fee for her star placement created a heated conflict between her and the agency.
Despite her desire to be honored on the Walk of Fame, she insisted on receiving it for free or expected the Deleon-E agency to cover the fee.
However, the CEO was opposed to funding the fee, leading to an impasse.
Sources reveal that the fee, amounting to $75,000 as of 2023, is collected at the time of selection to cover the costs of creating and installing the star, as well as maintaining the Walk of Fame in general.
Typically, the nominating organization, whether it be a fan club, film studio, record company, broadcaster, or other sponsor associated with the prospective honoree, bears the fee.
Meghan Markle’s situation in Hollywood has been challenging for some time, with few individuals willing to be photographed with her, and several A-listers distancing themselves from her.
Prominent figures like George Clooney, Prince Harry, his wife, and Kevin Costner have notably appeared to distance themselves as well.
Moreover, Meghan seems to have limited work opportunities, while many in Hollywood enjoy their interactions with the royal family and are unwilling to jeopardize potential invitations to future events involving them.
Consequently, they remain cautious about associating their names with Meghan, making it clear that the prospect of working with her or endorsing her remains distant.
As Meghan Markle’s bid for a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame continues to stir up controversy, it remains to be seen whether she will find a resolution with the Deleon-E agency or if her aspirations for this prestigious honor will remain unfulfilled.