Rumblings in Hollywood have reached a fever pitch with reports swirling around Meghan Markle’s association with the prominent talent agency WME.
Various insiders have informed Page Six that the Duchess of Sussex has been let go by the agency, but WME itself is pushing back against these claims, asserting that they still maintain a working relationship with her.
Sources suggest that Markle, now 43, hasn’t actively engaged with WME’s heavyweight, Ari Emanuel, since early January of the previous year.
However, it’s believed she has still interfaced with her everyday agents within the organization.
This disconnect has fueled speculation about the nature of her relationship with the agency, with some insiders labeling her as “too demanding” and “difficult” to work alongside.
Details about the timing of her supposed departure remain hazy.
However, a spokesperson for WME has firmly stated, “WME continues to represent Meghan and Archewell.” This is not to say that the agency is entirely cutting ties; reports indicate they are still supporting some of Markle’s initiatives connected to Archewell, the philanthropic arm she oversees with her husband, Prince Harry.
Interestingly, as Markle readies herself for the debut of her brand-new Netflix lifestyle series, “With Love, Meghan,” on the horizon, new details have emerged about her conduct.
It seems that a bit of tension brewed in January 2024, just after the holiday season, when Markle reportedly expressed a desire for a meeting accompanied by extensive preparation.
The exact purpose of this meeting—whether for her personal ambitions or Archewell—remains unclear, but insiders suggest it led to friction.
An anonymous source remarked that following Markle’s outburst during this incident, “Ari was done with her,” a sentiment corroborated by another insider who spoke on the matter.
This development comes at a pivotal moment as Markle gears up to launch her show, indicating that her journey in Hollywood may be taking a few unexpected twists.
Markle’s association with WME started relatively recently in April 2023, and she was reportedly under the watchful eyes of high-profile agents including Brad Slater, who has a roster featuring megastars like Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, and Jill Smoller, who manages sports icon Serena Williams.
Despite this high-powered backing, doubts linger about the direction of Markle’s personal endeavors, with one Hollywood insider noting, “I have no clue what those projects are, but WME isn’t managing her personal business.”
Launching back into the public eye, Markle has been actively refreshing her Instagram presence right in time for her Netflix series.
She’s also been grappling with the need to rename her lifestyle brand to “As Ever” following trademark complications surrounding its initial title, “American Riviera Orchard.”
Adding another layer to this narrative, her long-promised product line—expected to feature her much-publicized jam—is still quite a ways off from hitting the shelves, despite the show’s imminent premiere.
These products are being developed in collaboration with Netflix, indicating a steadfast commitment to her entrepreneurial aspirations.
As Markle seeks to navigate the tumultuous waters of Hollywood, she’s faced challenges in keeping a stable team.
Former staff members from her London days have banded together, humorously dubbing themselves the “Sussex Survivors Club” in the wake of their experiences working with her.
Past controversies involving Markle have not slipped into obscurity either.
Buckingham Palace had launched an investigation into claims of bullying directed at former staff, although the findings were never made public.
While Markle has consistently denied such allegations, her former press secretary, Jason Knauf, has in recent conversations reaffirmed his earlier accusations from 2018.
In a recent interview, Knauf recounted that he had expressed deep concerns about Markle’s behavior, citing instances where he believed she intimidated staff members and nurtured a toxic atmosphere.
His communications at the time painted a troubling picture of Markle’s interactions.
Adding to the complexity of Markle’s public image, a Vanity Fair piece from January—five years following her exit from royal duties—featured former aides labeling her behavior as reminiscent of a “‘Mean Girls’ teenager.”
The experiences shared by those who worked on her projects have varied, with one former employee describing their time on the “Archetypes” podcast as “really, really, really awful” and emotionally taxing, further intensifying the scrutiny surrounding Markle’s professional persona.