The latest figure to be caught in the whirlwind of celebrity politics is none other than the renowned chef José Andrés.
This time, it’s not his famous culinary creations that are in the spotlight, but rather a scandal that could rival the most dramatic episodes of Food Network’s soap operas. The story unfolds on the second day of Donald Trump’s second term in office, when Andrés was unceremoniously removed from the President’s Council on Sports, Fitness, and Nutrition. But why, you ask? The answer lies in his association with the controversial couple, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, whose proximity seems to come with its own set of consequences.
Enter the latest buzzword: “Markled.” So, what exactly does it mean to be “Markled”? It refers to the phenomenon of being linked to the Sussexes, only to face severe fallout—whether it be career-related, reputational, or social. Those who associate too closely with Harry and Meghan often find themselves ousted or tarnished in some way. It’s the new curse of high society: getting “Markled.” And José Andrés, a man celebrated for his humanitarian work, is now the latest casualty in this royal soap opera. His crime? Simply being friends with Harry and Meghan.
Andrés, whose career once soared on the back of his selfless charity work and culinary prowess, has now found himself caught in the drama surrounding the royal couple. Despite his admirable philanthropic efforts, it seems that associating with the Duke and Duchess of Sussex—who have become notorious for their media battles—can be a liability. José, who has spent years feeding the less fortunate, appears to have muddled his message, as his celebrity friendships began overshadowing his original mission of helping the underserved.
It’s not as if Andrés has completely abandoned his roots. He still shows up to charity events and continues to support wildfire relief efforts, notably alongside Harry and Meghan. However, the optics of it all are hard to ignore. After all, what’s the true motivation here? Is Andrés feeding the hungry, or is he feeding his own brand, alongside his royal pals? The juxtaposition of genuine charity work with high-profile photo opportunities has raised eyebrows, as critics question whether his celebrity connections are just another ingredient in his PR recipe.
Notably, José Andrés’s decision to align himself with Harry and Meghan has sparked controversy, particularly when it comes to his role at the World Economic Forum and his appearances at the World Health Organization events. These venues, typically associated with global leaders and changemakers, have now become places where Andrés’s connections to the Sussexes draw unwanted attention. The chef’s career trajectory, which was once centered on tangible social impact, has become muddied by the stardust surrounding the royal couple.
After news of Andrés’s removal from the Council spread, the culinary world was left wondering: Is José truly dedicated to helping those in need, or is he simply capitalizing on his high-profile relationships? The whispers about his motivations grew louder as it became clear that associating with Meghan and Harry had consequences. They bring drama—and sometimes, drama leads to backlash. And in Andrés’s case, the price of celebrity friendship might be higher than he ever anticipated.
But the drama doesn’t end there. It turns out that Trump’s decision to cut ties with Andrés wasn’t purely based on his royal connections. Just hours after Andrés was removed from the Council, it was revealed that the chef had been photographed with a man who would later be arrested for allegedly attempting to assassinate Donald Trump. Now, that’s a truly disastrous turn of events. One can only imagine the fallout from such a connection, especially in a political environment as volatile as the one we’re dealing with.
For Trump, this was the perfect storm—a way to distance himself from a chef whose associations had become far too controversial. If you’re the former president, aligning yourself with someone whose associates are tangled in shady dealings is a surefire way to find yourself “Markled” out of favor. As for Andrés, if he continues to cozy up to Harry and Meghan, one can’t help but wonder if Trump will eventually turn his sights on Harry himself. After all, Trump has never been one to hold back when it comes to his opinions on controversial figures. If José Andrés can be marked for his connection to the Sussexes, it’s only a matter of time before Harry might find himself facing a similar fate in the United States.
