When you picture celebrities being chased down by paparazzi, you might imagine them hiding behind sunglasses, darting away from photographers lurking in the shadows. But here's a twist: some celebrities are actually inviting those photographers for a little planned photoshoot on their own terms. And now, thanks to Meghan Markle—along with a nudge from her royal partner, Prince Harry—the secret's out.
Celebrity privacy has often been more scripted than spontaneous, with certain agencies reportedly serving as go-to calls for stars who want that "perfectly candid" shot. One such agency, BackGrid, has been revealed to be the preferred choice for celebs looking to control their public image. In a recent podcast episode of *The Rest is Entertainment*, British journalist Marina Hyde from *The Guardian* spilled some behind-the-scenes details about this celebrity-photographer relationship. According to Hyde, these photographers aren’t sneaking around coffee shops or hiding in bushes. Instead, they’re often on speed dial with the celebs themselves, showing up only when invited.
Guess who’s rumored to be one of those stars making those calls? Meghan Markle herself. According to Hyde, Meghan’s preferred paparazzi agency is none other than BackGrid, ensuring that photos of her are always captured in the best light, angle, and context. No chaotic, sweaty paparazzi here—just polished, PR-approved poses. And it doesn’t stop there. Rumor has it that some celebrities even have veto power over which shots make it to the public. Imagine being able to cherry-pick the best angles and ditch the ones that don’t make the cut.
Celebrities like Jennifer Lopez and the Kardashians are known for their “spontaneous” parking lot shots, an unlikely yet popular spot for a deep, iced coffee-fueled epiphany. Other stars, reportedly, are frequent callers as well—Olivia Wilde, often snapped in workout gear, and Angelina Jolie, who might just have a standing arrangement with BackGrid.
While many celebrities try to keep this image-crafting under wraps, Meghan Markle appears to have inadvertently exposed some of these tactics. Fans and critics alike haven’t been entirely thrilled, as Hollywood prides itself on maintaining certain illusions of mystery. Meghan’s actions have cast a different light on celebrity privacy, making it seem, to some, a bit more contrived.
This setup may explain why Meghan and Harry’s public appearances often seem a touch too polished, with poses that feel more deliberate than spontaneous. For those who are starting to look more critically at celebrity culture, the Sussexes have shined a spotlight on this kind of manufactured presence, revealing the lengths some will go to maintain relevance in the media.
It’s not just the photo ops Meghan is rumored to be dialing into, though. Some former colleagues have hinted that her time on *Suits* was reportedly not without backstage drama, raising questions about her off-camera behavior. Lacking Hollywood family ties or connections, Meghan rose to fame largely through persistence. However, this has led some insiders to question the kinds of relationships she might have relied on along the way.
Moreover, Meghan and Harry’s public life is often punctuated by “close friend” quotes and “insider” sources. It turns out that these anonymous sources cited in articles are often just the celebrities or their representatives carefully managing the narrative. There’s a reason that those unnamed voices sound suspiciously like the celebrities themselves.
Now, with Meghan and Harry’s fame tactics under the spotlight, other Hollywood stars might be feeling the heat. The public’s willingness to buy into the celebrity PR machine without question is waning, and people are beginning to question the authenticity of these curated personas. Meghan and Harry may not have intended to expose the inner workings of paparazzi arrangements and the “pay-for-play” awards scene, but their actions have certainly cracked Hollywood's glossy façade.
