Meghan Markle is said to have “disappeared” after losing her temper during a Zoom meeting with Netflix.
On Tuesday, Variety published an article revealing the Duchess of Sussex’s relationship with the streaming service, after Netflix ended its relationship with Markle’s lifestyle brand As Ever.
“The atmosphere in the building was ‘It’s over,'” a Netflix official told the outlet, claiming that Markle, 44, and Prince Harry’s actions “caused chaos during the meeting.”
People familiar with the matter said Netflix’s marketing and other teams were told that Markle’s prolonged absence from the meeting was because she was offended by what was said.
However, Ms. Markle’s lawyer, Michael J. Kump, said in a letter to Variety that she “works from home and is the mother of young children, ages 4 and 6, and frequently encounters children who unexpectedly enter the space during meetings.”
“Aside from being a work-from-home parent, Meghan is also conscious of protecting her team from distractions for her children,” Kamp continued. “Nearly every professional can attest to the need to turn off their audio or camera during a virtual meeting at some point during a long virtual business call.”
Markle also sometimes “discussed or restated” Harry’s ideas during virtual and in-person meetings with Netflix partners, and then touched Harry’s arms and thighs, the people said.
But Ms Kamp argued that this claim “appears to have been calculated to reflect her misogynistic traits of bossing her husband around.”
Harry, 41, also told Variety that the claims are “completely false.”
Three insiders claim that Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos is “sick of” the Sussexes, who are said to have emailed Sarandos directly about their projects.
Additionally, sources said Sarandos recently said she would not take calls with Markle unless a lawyer was present, which a Netflix spokesperson insisted was “completely inaccurate.”
“This is patently false,” Kemp told Variety. “In fact, Meghan regularly texts and speaks with Mr. Sarandos and has even visited Mr. Sarandos’ home without her lawyer.”
Despite reports that chief content officer Bela Bajaria is “getting tired” of working with the couple, Bajaria herself told Variety that she is “really enjoying” collaborating with the Sussexes.
“They are deeply involved in the storytelling process and bring a unique, global perspective tailored to the types of impact projects our members respond to,” Bajaria said.
A source told Page Six that Markle and Prince Harry have a great working relationship with Sarandos and Bajaria.
Elsewhere in Variety’s article, sources claim that A-list talent and directors are “hesitant” to work with the couple.
Page Six has reached out to the Sussexes and Netflix for comment.
Markle and Prince Harry originally negotiated a $100 million deal with Netflix through Archewell Productions after leaving the royal family in 2020.
Under the lucrative deal, the couple announced projects including the 2023 hit documentary Harry & Meghan, the failed documentary Polo, and Markle’s much maligned lifestyle series, With Love, Meghan Markle, but Page Six has exclusively confirmed that the show will not return for a third season amid declining ratings.
Last August, we reported that the couple extended their partnership with the streamer, but for an amount that was “much less” than their original deal.
The Sussexes had several projects in the works before Netflix canceled As Ever, including an adaptation of the books See You at the Lake and The Wedding Date.
However, a source told Page Six that Netflix’s deal with the Sussexes is in great shape, with multiple scripted and unscripted projects in the works.
A Netflix spokesperson told Page Six on March 6 that the As Ever founder “always intended to continue growing the brand and move into its next chapter independently.”
Meanwhile, a spokesperson for As Ever told Page Six that the company is “grateful to partner with Netflix” and is “now ready to stand on its own.”
