Meghan attended the event by herself and proudly voiced her involvement in it, according to People magazine. However, it's worth noting that Meghan was not officially invited to the event, as revealed by a source close to an insider. She essentially crashed the Power of Women Gala when her name was not on the official guest list and had no specific projects to promote.
In the eyes of some, her presence at the event raised eyebrows. The source described Hollywood artists and multi-millionaires attending the Variety event and contrasted them with Meghan, calling her a "pathetic mattress actress" who married into royalty. They pointed out that her presence at the event with security drew attention, and many found it humorous that she didn't follow the usual red carpet protocol.
Rumors circulated that crisis meetings were held at WME (William Morris Endeavor), and an eyewitness at the event mentioned that Meghan's walk on the red carpet, even with a hired stylist and assistant, didn't go smoothly. It seemed that no celebrities were eager to have their photos taken with her, and there were even mentions of an oversight regarding spray tan on her feet.
Furthermore, another guest at the event commented on Meghan's media coverage, stating that she garnered attention even though she didn't have a specific project to promote, apart from a brand. It was noted that other attendees were cautious about speaking with Meghan, as they were aware that she might record their conversations for Netflix. During the ceremony, she seemed focused on the program and didn't engage much with those at her table.
Meghan's seating arrangement placed her near WME agent Brad Slater, with whom she sat. It's mentioned that WME had to discreetly include Brad's plus one at the event, even though Meghan wasn't officially invited.
Leonardo DiCaprio, unaware of these details, referred to Meghan's appearance as an "ambush" but couldn't help but find it amusing how she seemed eager for attention. He shared the sentiment that Meghan's behavior was quite striking, especially considering her security and entourage.
This incident follows warnings to Meghan that she won't receive special treatment in Hollywood, regardless of her royal status. Branding expert and crisis manager Eric Schiffer noted that the past year hasn't been great for Meghan and Harry. Studio executives are primarily concerned with the bottom line, and Meghan's solo appearance at the event underscores the need for a successful relaunch of the Sussexes' brand. The initial goodwill they received upon their arrival in the United States has dwindled, and they are now facing a more critical audience.
