Meghan's Mansion to Muted Mention: Has the Royal Glow Faded in Hollywood?

The Royal Rumble: Meghan and Harry's Hollywood Fiasco

It's been a wild ride for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex since their bombshell announcement in 2020 that they'd be stepping down as senior royals and embarking on a new life in Los Angeles. The power couple has been wooed by Hollywood, but it seems like their star may be fading faster than we thought.

From Royal Treatment to Red Carpet Rejection

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry landed on their feet when they moved to LA, courtesy of Tyler Perry's lavish US$18 million mansion. But the real gravy train came when Netflix and Spotify snapped them up for massive multi-program deals worth a combined total of over $100 million.

Fast forward to 2023, and it's been a downhill slide for the Sussexes. Spotify pulled the plug on their deal, branding them "grifters" in the process. And while Harry's tell-all book Spare was a bestseller, we're still waiting for the next installment of their promised multi-book deal.

Netflix, too, has had its share of disappointments with the couple's productions. The five shows created under their Archewell Productions banner have been met with lukewarm reception at best. It seems like the streaming giant may be getting cold feet, and this week, a surprise development confirmed our suspicions.

The Netflix Deal: A Downgrade or Just Deserts?

Just weeks out from the premiere of season two of With Love, Meghan, the Sussexes announced a new agreement with Netflix – but it's far cry from their previous blockbuster deal. This time around, they've signed a multi-year "first look" deal that essentially gives Netflix dibs on any film or TV projects they develop.

In other words, if Netflix likes what they see, they might choose to fund it. But there are no guarantees, and the lack of commitment is telling. Industry insiders have labeled this new deal as a downgrade, and we can't help but wonder if Meghan and Harry's star power has finally lost its luster.

Birthday Blues: The Royal Family's Lack of Love

Meghan Markle's 44th birthday on August 8 passed without much fanfare from the Hollywood glitterati. In fact, there was a notable absence of birthday wishes from high-profile friends like Beyoncé, who had sent Meghan a congratulatory message in previous years.

We can't help but wonder if this is a sign of things to come – or just a result of Meghan's efforts to rebrand herself as a celebrity lifestyle entrepreneur. This new persona has seen her launch a tie-in lifestyle brand called As Ever, offering everything from jams and teas to wine.

The Kardashians: Meghan's New BFFs?

Despite the lackluster reception for As Ever among Hollywood's elite, Meghan did manage to score a nod of approval from the Kardashian clan. Khloé posted an Instagram story featuring an artfully arranged gift basket filled with As Ever goodies – but without so much as a mention of the royal origins.

Meghan was quick to capitalize on this publicity stunt by reposting the image on her own account, adding a cringe-worthy caption and a trio of love hearts. But fans were less than impressed, calling out the absence of any specific acknowledgment from the Kardashians.

The Missing '@' Mention: A Red Flag?

Some speculated that Khloé's lack of enthusiasm was due to Meghan's alleged payment for the social media shout-out – with some even claiming it was a paid advertising deal worth over six figures. Whatever the reason, it's clear that Team Sussex is no longer in vogue.

And if we thought things couldn't get any worse, family matriarch Kris Jenner came to the rescue by posting an Instagram story featuring her own delivery of As Ever goodies – this time with a clear mention of @meghan. Perhaps it was just an oversight, but it's indicative of a bigger issue: Meghan and Harry's once-loyal fan base is starting to drift away.

The Writing on the Wall?

It seems like the Sussexes are stuck in a rut, struggling to maintain their Hollywood allure. The royal treatment they received upon arrival has given way to red carpet rejection, and it's anyone's guess how much longer this will continue.

As one insider put it: "Meghan and Harry thought they were above all this, but it seems like the public has finally woken up to their true intentions." With their star fading faster than we ever could have imagined, can the Duke and Duchess of Sussex recover from this royal rumble? Only time will tell.