A royal commentator claims Meghan Markle faces significant ridicule in Hollywood, citing a lack of self-awareness about her public remarks concerning the Royal Family.
Lee Cohen, a US journalist and commentator, has described Markle as “the most tone deaf” and least self-aware public figure, asserting that the entertainment industry has appropriately mocked her.
This criticism emerges as Markle encounters growing scrutiny from American media and entertainment personalities who had previously been largely neutral about her and her husband, Prince Harry. The couple’s fraught relationship with the British press contributed to their decision to step down as working royals in 2020 and move to California. Recent years have seen a notable change in the US media’s coverage of the Sussexes.
In 2023, Vanity Fair published what Cohen termed a “biting cover story” branding the couple “American hustle,” while making various allegations against them. The Hollywood Reporter had earlier called them the “biggest losers in Hollywood” and followed up with a report questioning why the industry continues to distance itself from the pair.
The entertainment industry’s mockery peaked in February 2023 when the animated series South Park dedicated an episode to lampooning the couple. The episode, titled “The Worldwide Privacy Tour,” portrayed fictional characters resembling a Prince of Canada and his wife, who tour the world demanding privacy while seeking publicity. The show highlighted the couple’s conflicting desire for privacy and public attention, featuring characters with signs reading “We want our privacy!” and “Stop looking at us!”
Cohen pointed to Markle’s 2021 interview with Oprah Winfrey as an example of problematic public statements. He noted that during the interview, Markle shared stories that did not hold up to scrutiny. Cohen also remarked on Harry’s apparent discomfort regarding her accusations of racism against his family.
Criticism extends beyond commentary, as prominent comedians have joined the conversation questioning Markle’s narrative. In March 2023, comedian Chris Rock addressed Markle’s racism allegations in his Netflix stand-up special “Selective Outrage.” Rock stated: “Didn’t she hit the light-skinned lottery?” and dismissed some of her experiences as typical family dynamics rather than racism, saying: “Some of that *** she went through was not racism. It was just some in-law ***.”
The couple’s business ventures have faced setbacks. Their multimillion-dollar podcast agreement with Spotify ended in June 2023 after producing only 12 episodes of Markle’s “Archetypes” series. Bill Simmons, Spotify’s head of podcast innovation and monetization, publicly criticized the couple. “The *** grifters. That’s the podcast we should have launched with them,” Simmons remarked on his podcast.
Simmons revealed he had participated in a Zoom call with Prince Harry to discuss podcast ideas, describing it as one of his “best stories” and expressed frustration with the couple’s content creation approach. He previously stated he was “embarrassed” to share the Spotify platform with Harry, questioning the unique value the prince brought to the medium.
The couple’s Netflix projects have also faced criticism. Markle’s recent lifestyle series “With Love, Meghan” received largely negative reviews from critics who accused her of lacking authenticity and portraying a tone-deaf image of privileged self-importance. Royal expert Kinsey Schofield suggested Markle should focus on elevating her guests rather than dominating conversations.
The entertainment industry’s apparent fatigue with the Sussexes is reflected in their ongoing staff turnover. The Hollywood Reporter documented the departure of multiple key advisers, including their chief of staff who resigned after only three months. Former employees have reportedly formed what some call the “Sussex Survivors Club,” highlighting challenges in working with the couple.
Supporters argue that the couple still garners significant audience interest. Their Netflix documentary “Harry & Meghan” became the platform’s second-highest ranked documentary, and Prince Harry’s memoir “Spare” broke records as the fastest-selling non-fiction book.
Cohen asserts that Hollywood’s reaction reflects wider concerns about the couple’s public life and business relationships. “No wonder Hollywood’s had a field day at the Sussexes’ expense,” he said, noting that criticism comes from cartoon characters to industry executives.
The ongoing controversy underscores the couple’s struggle to establish themselves in American entertainment while maintaining their royal connections and narrative. As criticism from industry figures persists, questions about their long-term viability as content creators and public figures in Hollywood remain.