Vanity Fair, a magazine that has generally been quite sympathetic to the Sussexes in the past. But this wasn’t just any article; it was an unfiltered truth bomb, and wow, did they hit the target.
What struck me the most was how these new revelations about Meghan’s behavior as a boss perfectly align with what we’ve been hearing for years. Remember those bullying allegations from the palace staff back in 2018? Well, it looks like some things haven’t changed. The testimonies from former staff members paint a picture of a truly awful experience, and I’m not just saying that—it’s really awful, emphasized three times.
It’s like déjà vu all over again. And can we talk about that quote about needing therapy after working with her? Imagine being so difficult to work with that your employees need professional help to recover. As someone who has worked in media for years, I can tell you that while some bosses can be demanding, this is on a whole different level of workplace drama.
What really caught my attention was a brilliant observation by royal expert Neil Sha about Meghan’s bizarre PR strategy—the one where they make these grand announcements and then… nothing. Remember the American Riviera Orchard announcement in March 2024? It made a huge splash at the time, but now, what exactly has happened with that? It’s like they’re playing some strange game of peekaboo with their projects. Speaking of projects, let’s talk about the Netflix cooking and gardening show that’s been pushed back. They’re blaming it on the LA wildfires, which, okay, fair enough. But isn’t it interesting how there always seems to be some excuse or reason why their projects keep getting delayed? It’s almost as if, dare I say it, they’re struggling to deliver actual content.
Now, here’s where it gets really fascinating: the Hollywood reaction. Hollywood can be incredibly forgiving if you bring in the money and ratings. If you’re profitable enough, they’ll overlook all sorts of behavior. But when you combine difficult behavior with a track record of, let’s be honest, not delivering the goods, that’s when things start to get interesting. Remember when they first arrived in California? Everyone thought they were going to be the next big thing—Netflix deals, Spotify deals, books, speaking engagements—the world was their oyster. But what have we actually seen? A Netflix documentary that was basically hours of complaining about the royal family, a Spotify podcast that was canceled faster than you can say "exit," and a memoir that alienated pretty much everyone except their most die-hard fans. And now, according to these industry insiders, Hollywood has finally caught up with what we’ve been saying all along: she’s toxic. That’s not my word; that’s coming straight from industry professionals. Kevin O’Sullivan hit the nail on the head when he said you can get away with it once or twice, but three times? That’s a pattern you can’t ignore.
What really strikes me about all of this is how predictable it was. Think about it: we’ve seen this pattern before. The way Meghan ghosted her entire family except for her mother, the way she burned bridges with former friends in Toronto, the trail of disgruntled employees from her royal days. It’s like watching the same movie over and over again, just with different supporting characters. And poor Harry—oh, Harry. Remember when he was everyone’s favorite prince, the soldier, the joker, the one who seemed so genuine and down-to-earth? Now he’s reduced to making cameo appearances at his wife’s PR events, looking more lost and uncomfortable with each passing day. It’s like watching someone you care about stuck in a bad relationship, but on a global scale.
What really gets me is the timing of it all. While this drama is unfolding, look at what the working royals are doing. William and Catherine, despite her health challenges (and we’re all still praying for her quick recovery), continue to demonstrate what real royal service looks like. King Charles and Queen Camilla are showing incredible leadership. The contrast couldn’t be more stark. And let’s talk about that “Checkers, not chess” comment from one of the former staffers. Isn’t that just perfect? It perfectly sums up what we’ve been seeing all along—someone who thinks they’re playing a sophisticated game but is actually just making obvious, short-term moves without considering the long-term consequences.
The Vanity Fair article being described as a punch in the gut is particularly telling. In the past, the Sussexes could always count on friendly media to spin things their way, but now, it seems like even the typically sympathetic outlets are starting to see through the façade. Once you lose that media support and Hollywood’s favor, well, it’s a very slippery slope. What’s even more interesting is the silence from their camp. Usually, when negative press hits, their PR machine goes into overdrive, with sources close to the couple setting the record straight. But this time, nothing. And PR silence can be deafening.
I have to admit, watching their Hollywood dream crumble is both fascinating and, in a way, sad. Not sad for them—they’ve made their bed, and now they have to lie in it—but sad for what could have been. Imagine if they’d actually used their platform for good. If they’d focused on genuine charitable work instead of constant self-promotion, if they’d chosen substance over style. But instead, we have a series of failed projects, a growing list of burned bridges, and now, Hollywood essentially declaring them persona non grata. It’s like watching the end of a very expensive, very public experiment in brand building gone wrong.
Looking ahead, I have to wonder what their next move will be. With Hollywood apparently turning its back on them, what options do they have left? They can’t go back to the royal family—that bridge is pretty much burned. They can’t rely on their titles forever, and even California will eventually tire of novelty. So, what’s next? This feels like a turning point in the Sussex saga. The Vanity Fair article might just be the straw that breaks the camel’s back. When even friendly media starts publishing critical pieces, when industry insiders start openly using words like “toxic,” when former employees are going on record about needing therapy, well, that’s when you know the tide has truly turned. Is this really the end of the Sussex Hollywood dream? Will they try to rebrand yet again? And most importantly, will Harry ever find his way back to his family? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below.
