The buzz is that Meghan Markle has allegedly instructed her staff to publicly support her in the media. We all know the Hollywood Reporter’s recent expose has ignited quite a bit of drama, dubbing Meghan as a "demon boss" and a "dictator in heels." Just 24 hours later, Us Weekly published an article titled “What It’s Really Like to Work for Meghan Markle.” This piece features various staff members—both past and present—sharing their experiences under her employment.
Ben Brown, a former employee, said his overall experience was positive and supportive. Another former chief of staff mentioned that they remain close and that their time working together was incredibly meaningful. Then there’s Josh Kettler, one of the more recent departures, who claimed he was warmly welcomed by Meghan and Harry, describing them as dedicated and hardworking.
Ashley Hansen, a current staff member, recounted her own experience, stating that when she needed extended time off for surgery, Meghan expressed genuine concern, reaching out with flowers and care packages. Meghan even contacted her husband daily to check on their well-being.
A former COO opened up about the challenge of addressing public narratives that paint a negative picture of Meghan and Harry, stating that much of the kindness and mentorship they offer happens quietly behind closed doors.
Raised a question that changed the tone for me: Why are these staff members publicly defending Meghan? A better question is: How are they allowed to speak out publicly with their names attached?
When my brother Andy and I went to Montecito last year, we asked the public what they thought of Harry and Meghan. To clarify, we were completely within legal bounds—sticking to public paths and areas. But, when we spoke to people, many were reluctant to comment, likely due to fear of backlash or because they had NDAs.
To illustrate, here’s a clip from one of our videos on Popcorn Planet. Listen to how the public responded when we simply asked for their opinions on Harry and Meghan:
“Do people like Meghan or not?”
“No comment.”
“What do you think of Harry and Meghan?”
“No comment.”
“Are you a fan of the Royals?”
“No comment.”
It’s curious that while the public we spoke to was afraid to share even positive thoughts about Meghan, these staffers are now freely voicing their opinions, praising her as a wonderful boss. So, how can these staff members openly discuss their experiences without fear?
Given our previous experiences in Montecito, it seems odd that staff members are now publicly expressing positive sentiments about Meghan when regular folks are hesitant to comment at all. This leads me to one conclusion: they have been allowed—or possibly instructed—by Meghan to do this.
If the public is too afraid to speak positively about Meghan and Harry, why are these staffers so willing? It suggests they might have been encouraged to speak out in an effort to manage public perception.
Furthermore, if Meghan is indeed the best boss in the world, then why have nearly 20 staff members left her in the last few years?
Going back to our experiences in Montecito, the public we encountered would not say a word about Meghan and Harry, whether positive or negative. So how are these staffers now granted the freedom to speak positively about their time working for Meghan?
This leads me to believe that Meghan has orchestrated this defense in the press as a form of damage control, and frankly, it seems it hasn’t worked.
