During a recent conversation with a close friend who works as an agent at WME, I delved into the details of Meghan Markle's association with the agency. After a few drinks, I couldn't help but ask about how WME decided to represent Meghan, the current status of their partnership, and their future goals.
My friend's response shed light on the situation. They rolled their eyes and described it as a complete mess. It appears that Jill Smurr, who represents Serena Williams and holds substantial influence within WME, played a crucial role in bringing Meghan Markle into the agency. Despite the public perception of Meghan and Serena being distant, they have a close relationship. Serena was a driving force behind WME's decision to assist Meghan, and the agency felt compelled to comply.
My friend disclosed that Meghan came to the Los Angeles office for a strategy meeting only once, and an internal memo encouraged all agents to establish partnerships, friendships, and alliances with their clients. However, agents were reluctant to engage with Meghan, and clients were not eager to associate with her. Agents within WME view her as a source of frustration and believe they promote her primarily to appease Serena and Jill.
It seems that the general sentiment among agents is that Meghan Markle is not taken seriously within WME, and they hope that this will become evident to Serena Williams eventually. It is anticipated that once Meghan's profitability diminishes, she may be dropped by the agency.
If you spot Meghan at an event such as a concert or a red carpet affair, it's often because WME's executives, clients, or subsidiary companies were already involved or attending, and they insist on including her as an extra or add-on.
Furthermore, if you research Serena Williams' longtime agent, who now heads the sports and entertainment division at WME, you'll find a statement crediting Jill Smur with playing a significant role in signing Meghan Markle as a client in April 2023. While this information could be accurate, it underscores Meghan's high expectations and her belief that success should be handed to her, despite her limited contributions thus far.
Meghan's sporadic appearances at WME-related events have raised questions. It seems that WME leverages A-list celebrities to boost their own profitability by making lesser-known individuals famous, all in pursuit of greater financial gains. Meghan's presence sometimes disrupts the unity of other celebrities at these events, leading them to exclude her from their photos and social circles.
Regarding Meghan and Harry's charitable endeavors, their actions have faced scrutiny. Their decision not to publicize certain donations has led some to question their motives, as these fundraisers appear to serve their interests more than the charities themselves. This pattern of behavior mirrors their previous involvement with the Invictus Games, where they tended to dominate the microphone during speeches and later used the footage for self-promotion.
In summary, the situation at WME regarding Meghan Markle appears to be complex, with agents feeling compelled to support her for financial reasons, despite their reservations about her impact on their clients and the agency's reputation. Meghan's approach to public appearances and charity work has also drawn criticism and raised questions about her true intentions.
