During a recent gathering with a long-time friend who happens to work as an agent at WME, I delved into the intricacies of Meghan Markle's relationship with the agency. After a couple of cocktails, I couldn't help but inquire about how WME came to represent Meghan, what the current status of their partnership is, and what their objectives are moving forward. My friend's response was rather telling - they rolled their eyes and described the situation as a complete mess.
Apparently, Jill Smer, who represents Serena Williams and wields significant influence within WME, played a pivotal role in bringing Meghan Markle into the agency. Despite the public perception of Meghan and Serena being distant, they are actually quite close. It seems that Serena was the driving force behind WME's decision to assist Meghan, and the agency felt compelled to comply.
My friend disclosed that there was only one instance when Meghan came to the LA office for a strategy meeting, and an internal memo encouraged all agents to establish partnerships, friendships, and alliances with their clients. However, the agents were reluctant to engage with Meghan, and clients were not enthusiastic about associating with her. Agents within WME view her as a source of frustration and feel compelled to promote her, primarily to appease Serena and Jill.
It appears that the general sentiment among agents is that Meghan Markle is not taken seriously within WME, and they are hoping that this will eventually become evident to Serena Williams. They anticipate that once Meghan's profitability diminishes, she will be dropped. 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.
Additionally, if you research Serena Williams' long-time agent, who now heads the sports and entertainment division at WME, you'll find a statement crediting Jill Smer 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 lofty goals 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 bolster their own profitability by making lesser-known individuals famous, all in the pursuit of greater financial gains. Meghan's presence often disrupts the unity of other celebrities at these events, leading them to exclude her from their photos and social circles.
In the context of Meghan and Harry's charitable endeavors, their actions have come under 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. Their tendency to dominate the microphone during speeches and later use the footage for self-promotion has become a recurring theme.
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.
