Claims suggest the Duchess of Sussex fears fallout over her estranged father could hurt both her brand and the streamer’s investment
Reports suggest Meghan Markle has reached out to Netflix as concerns grow over public reaction to renewed headlines involving her father.
According to multiple accounts, Meghan is worried that criticism surrounding her family situation could damage her personal brand and, by extension, the value of Netflix’s long-term deal with her and Harry.
Her father, Thomas Markle Sr, recently underwent a leg amputation in the Philippines after suffering complications from a blood clot. While their relationship has long been described as strained, reports claim the 81-year-old hoped to reconcile following his surgery. However, coverage has alleged that Meghan did not visit or contact him after the operation, fuelling another wave of negative attention.
As the story gained traction, sources claim the former Suits actress became anxious about the potential backlash and contacted Netflix, urging the company to step in. An insider quoted by RadarOnline alleged that Meghan pressed executives to help manage the situation, arguing that any reputational damage could affect both her and the streamer.
The same source claimed she reminded Netflix of the significant money and promotion tied to her and Harry, and asked the company to use its PR resources to protect that investment.
Meghan’s camp has pushed back on some of the claims. Through a spokesperson, she reportedly said she had emailed her estranged father following his surgery but received no reply. The statement added that a message was also sent via intermediaries.
Netflix signed a high-profile deal with the Sussexes in 2020, reportedly worth around $100 million. However, questions have recently been raised about the future of Meghan’s projects with the platform. Reports suggest the second season of her lifestyle series, With Love, Meghan, failed to meet viewing expectations, leading to speculation that the show may not return for a third season.
For now, both Meghan and Netflix remain publicly silent on the latest claims, but the renewed scrutiny highlights the ongoing challenges surrounding her public image and media partnerships.
