Last week, California Governor Gavin Newsom made headlines—not for a major legislative breakthrough but for an unexpected and delightful encounter with pop star Demi Lovato, while simultaneously giving the cold shoulder to Meghan Markle.
If you thought Markle had a golden ticket into the governor's inner circle, think again. In a surprising twist of priorities, Newsom sat down with Lovato to sign laws aimed at protecting child influencers from financial exploitation, leaving Markle waiting in the wings.
While Lovato took on the role of guardian angel for the next generation of online stars, Meghan Markle is likely still waiting for an invite to the governor’s office. Where’s the photo op, Meghan? The first piece of legislation, SB 764, mandates that a percentage of a child influencer's earnings be placed into a trust account, ensuring that little Jimmy the vlogger doesn’t blow all his money on candy and video games. The second law, AB 1880, expands the Coogan Law to cover child content creators on platforms like YouTube, ensuring that at least 15% of their earnings are safeguarded. Lovato was quick to express her gratitude to Newsom, stating, "To build a better future for the next generation of child stars, we need to put protections in place for minors working in the digital space."
Newsom, on the other hand, seemed thrilled to team up with a pop star rather than engage with the Duchess of Sussex. Yes, Meghan Markle—the woman who once allegedly had her phone number blocked by Newsom. Rumor has it that the governor became so frustrated by her frequent calls that he put her on permanent "Do Not Disturb." One can only imagine the conversations: “Yes, Meghan, we all care about your charitable foundation, but have you heard the latest from Demi Lovato? Now that's a conversation worth having.”
At a press conference, Newsom briefly mentioned Markle’s Archwell Foundation, which is reportedly doing remarkable work. However, his acknowledgment felt more like a formality than genuine enthusiasm. He quickly clarified that any paperwork issues surrounding the foundation were merely technicalities—mundane and wildly overhyped. Meanwhile, he eagerly hopped onto the Lovato bandwagon.
Lovato's involvement in protecting child stars is particularly timely, coinciding with the release of Hulu's documentary Child Star. It seems she has cornered the market on advocating for young talent, leaving Markle trailing behind. While Meghan may be preoccupied with delinquent paperwork, Lovato is forging new laws, partnering with Newsom, and reshaping the landscape for child influencers.
So, what's the takeaway from this celebrity spectacle? In the world of fame and politics, alliances are as slippery as a ripe California avocado. With Demi Lovato stepping up as the new champion for child influencers and Gavin Newsom happy to bask in the glow of her spotlight, Markle may need to rethink her strategy. After all, if you want to play the political game in California, it's probably wise to have a pop star in your corner—rather than a stack of empty promises and paperwork headaches.
