Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, once celebrated as a power couple in the entertainment world, are now facing an uncertain future in Hollywood. Despite their early success with multi-million-dollar deals, including partnerships with Netflix and Spotify, several Hollywood insiders are now stepping away from the Sussexes. Reports indicate their working relationships, management style, and ongoing controversies have strained their once-promising rise in the industry.
One of the main issues cited by sources is the high turnover rate of staff and advisors within the couple’s team. Many former employees and advisers have described Meghan Markle as difficult to work with, alleging that she frequently belittles those around her and dismisses their advice. According to one source, “Everyone’s terrified of Meghan” due to her reportedly volatile temperament. Former staff members have said she has a “penchant for noisy tantrums and angry 5 a.m. emails,” a pattern of behavior that has led to her being dubbed “Duchess Difficult” by some who have worked with her.
These revelations and Meghan’s reported management style have led to significant staff turnover, including the resignation of key team members like their chief of staff, global press secretary, and head of PR. The departures have fueled the creation of the so-called “Sussex Survivors Club,” comprised of former employees who have shared their experiences working with the couple. In addition to the alleged difficult working conditions, there have also been reports of non-payment to certain PR firms. A high-profile instance involves Sunshine Sachs, which reportedly stopped representing the Sussexes after not receiving payments for services rendered.
A Hollywood producer explained that mainstream Hollywood never truly regarded Harry and Meghan as serious players. From the start, Archewell, the Sussexes’ media company, seemed more like a branding exercise than a legitimate production enterprise. At the time, Netflix was giving out vanity deals freely, so most in the industry expected the couple’s company wouldn’t accomplish much despite the significant financial support. Even those critical of Harry and Meghan would be surprised by how little they’ve achieved. In the current challenging environment of 2024, with thousands of job losses and a struggling entertainment industry, there is genuine dislike and distrust toward them from some within the industry.
William Morris Endeavor (WME), the talent agency representing Meghan, has been noticeably quiet regarding negative reports about her behavior. A Hollywood publicist pointed out that WME’s lack of defense for Meghan is unusual, given how protective they typically are of their clients. This suggests that it reflects the increasing dislike and distrust toward her within the industry.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex were notably absent from last week’s star-studded Emmy event hosted by WME in Beverly Hills, California, as reported by media. It remains unclear whether Harry and Meghan were not invited or chose not to attend.
It’s clear that the couple, once seen as a dynamic force in Hollywood, is now facing considerable challenges. Staff turnover, strained relationships, and unmet expectations have cast a shadow over their future endeavors in the entertainment industry.