Meghan Markle would reportedly boss Prince Harry during Zoom meetings with Netflix, Variety reported, after the streaming platform severed ties with the Duchess of Sussex’s lifestyle brand, As Ever.
The Variety report, citing sources, said she would “speak or rephrase” Prince Harry’s thoughts and sometimes “touch Harry’s arm or thigh” in mid-sentence during virtual and in-person meetings with Netflix partners.
However, Markle’s lawyer Michael J Kump dismissed the claims as “misogynistic”. He wrote a letter to Variety, accessed by Page Six, in which he said the outlet’s claims “seem to count on a misogynistic characterization of her bossing her husband.”
Harry also told Variety that the allegation is “categorically false.”
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‘We’re done’: Netflix
A Netflix insider told Variety that the streaming platform was “done” with the Sussexes, claiming their behavior had “ruffled feathers.”
The report said that Meghan allegedly “disappears” during Zoom meetings when she gets offended.
Netflix teams, as well as the marketing department, were told that Markle’s long absence from meetings was because she was offended by something that was said, a source told Variety.
“The mood in the building is ‘We’re done,'” Netflix said inside.
However, Kump disputed the claim, saying that Meghan is a mother of two young children, ages 4 and 6, who works from home and “often encounters children who enter the space unexpectedly during a meeting.”
“In addition to being a work-from-home parent, Meghan is also conscious of protecting her team from the distraction of the children,” Kump said in her letter.
In Meghan’s defense, Kump said that almost all professionals need to turn off the audio or camera at some point during a virtual meeting.
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Ted Sarandos is ‘pissed off’
An explosive Variety report, citing three insiders, claimed that Netflix Co-CEO Ted Sarandos is “fed up” with the Sussexes.
Sarandos would not have gotten on the phone with Meghan unless a lawyer was present on the line, the report claimed. However, a Netflix spokesperson insisted this was “completely inaccurate”.
“That’s patently untrue,” Kemp told Variety. “In fact, Meghan regularly writes and speaks to Mr. Sarandos and has been at his home, sans lawyers.
The report also claimed that Netflix chief content officer Bela Bajaria had grown “tired” of working with the royal couple. But Bajaria herself told Variety that she “really enjoyed” working with the Sussexes.
A source told Page Six that Markle and Harry have a great working relationship with Sarandos and Bajaria.
Netflix contract
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry initially negotiated a $100 million deal with Netflix through their Archewell Productions after stepping down from the royal family in 2020.
Since then, they’ve released projects such as their hit 2023 documentary ‘Harry & Meghan’ and Meghan’s lifestyle series ‘Love, Meghan’, which won’t be returning for a third season due to declining ratings.
According to media reports, the couple has extended their partnership with Netflix, but for a sum “much” less than the original deal.
The Sussexes had several projects in the works, including adaptations of the books “List Me by the Lake” and “The Wedding Date,” before Netflix ditched it as always.
According to Page Six sources, Netflix’s deal with the Sussexes is in a great place and they have several scripted and unscripted projects in development.
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Like always a Netflix deal
A Netflix spokesperson told Page Six that it was “always intended” for the As Ever founder to “continue to grow the brand and independently take it to its next chapter.”
A spokesperson for As Ever also confirmed to Page Six that the company, “grateful for Netflix’s partnership,” is “now ready to stand on its own.”
