Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have found themselves listed among the year’s most significant disappointments in Tinsel Town, according to The Hollywood Reporter, a respected industry publication. In its 2023 review, the magazine recognizes both achievements and failures, and the Duke and Duchess of Sussex are among the 11 figures who didn’t quite meet expectations. They faced criticism for their Netflix documentary and biography, with even their podcast titles drawing some complaints.
The Hollywood Reporter’s assessment of the couple is far from glowing. They noted that Harry and Meghan left behind a life of ceremonial public service to leverage their celebrity status in the United States but failed to make a significant impact. Additionally, their charitable foundation, Archewell, saw a significant drop in donations by $1 million over the past year, putting it in the red. Meanwhile, their right-hand man, James Holt, received a substantial 280% pay raise.
Reports suggest that a crisis meeting with WME, their talent agency, was held in Los Angeles, possibly related to their Christmas card, which was delayed. Megan Markle has taken on more of her PR responsibilities recently, leading to speculation that she had to consult with representatives before releasing the card. However, it remains uncertain if the meeting directly addresses the recent issues arising from Scobie’s book.
It’s worth noting that it came to light that they collaborated with Scobie’s book, contradicting their previous statements to WME. This inconsistency has caused frustration and criticism. They appear to be out of touch, believing they can still release a Christmas card after all the controversy surrounding their actions.
In Hollywood, their reputation has suffered, making it challenging for WME to secure new opportunities for Meghan. Despite having in-house PR, WME will likely advise her on managing her public image. Rumors suggest that Meghan had to pay a substantial retainer fee to WME for a 12-month representation, as her profitability was already in question.
It’s unclear how much she’ll additionally pay WME as a percentage of any work they secure for her. With their history of crises, WME might eventually decide that the drama isn’t worth it and part ways with the client. Few clients have as many crisis events as Meghan, and most of these issues are self-inflicted wounds. At some point, WME may come to the realization that there won’t be any multi-million dollar deals for Meghan unless her image and behavior change significantly.
