Meghan Markle made a striking appearance at the 2024 Children's Hospital Los Angeles Gala, where her choice of attire sparked immediate recognition.
She donned a vibrant red Carolina Herrera gown, one she had previously worn to a 2021 gala in New York. This fashion choice seemed to send a subtle message, perhaps an attempt to project relatability by repeating a glamorous outfit. Markle confidently walked the red carpet hand in hand with Kelly McKee Zajfen, the founder of Alliance of Moms.
Despite her poised entrance, there was an unexpected twist—Meghan did not appear in any of the Instagram photos shared by Molly McNearney, the wife of Jimmy Kimmel, leaving her presence at the event somewhat invisible in the digital narrative.
The gala, hosted by Jordana Brewster and Lisa Joyner, honored several influential figures including television producer Chuck Lorre, boxing legend Sugar Ray Leonard and his wife Bernadette, among others. It was a star-studded event, with a guest list that read like a who's who of Hollywood, featuring Jamie Lee Curtis, Demi Lovato—who performed at the gala—and Keke Palmer, all lending their support to the cause. Despite the high-profile guest list, Markle's absence from the evening’s most circulated photos seemed notable, especially as McKee Zajfen, who accompanied her on the carpet, posted multiple photos from McNearney’s Instagram without a single snapshot of Meghan.
This curious omission raises questions. Perhaps Jimmy Kimmel and Molly McNearney, both long-time advocates for children’s healthcare, were more focused on the cause that hits close to home for them, given their own son’s health challenges, than on the celebrity glamour Meghan often brings. For Kimmel and McNearney, this wasn’t just another red-carpet event; it was a deeply personal mission, and their priorities appeared to align more with the evening's philanthropic efforts than with celebrity spectacle.
Interestingly, Jennifer Aniston, a close friend of Kimmel and McNearney, was also at the event, and it's widely rumored that she is not particularly fond of Markle. This adds another layer to the intrigue surrounding Meghan’s exclusion from the photographic documentation of the night.
Meghan's red carpet presence, however, did not go unnoticed in person. In various event photos, Markle was seen holding tightly to McKee Zajfen’s arm, her focus almost entirely on the cameras, rather than her surroundings. The image of her clutching Kelly’s arm—while seemingly fixated on posing for the photographers—lacked the warmth and genuine connection one might expect. Instead, Markle’s demeanor gave off a somewhat stiff, mannequin-like vibe, as if her primary aim was to maintain her poised public image rather than engage with those around her.
Meanwhile, McKee Zajfen appeared polished and effortlessly elegant, outshining the Duchess with her poised demeanor and flawless styling. Meghan’s expression, on the other hand, seemed to convey a mix of surprise and discomfort, as if she hadn’t anticipated sharing the spotlight with others at the event. What was likely intended to be a moment of red carpet dominance for Markle turned into a night of near invisibility, overshadowed by the real stars of the evening: Jimmy Kimmel, Molly McNearney, and the mission to support children’s healthcare.
Ultimately, while Meghan Markle may have arrived ready to play the leading role, it seems that the spotlight—and perhaps the affection of the event’s key figures—was focused elsewhere. The night’s narrative, both in photos and in spirit, didn’t quite include her in the way she might have imagined.
