Meghan Markle is reportedly reeling from the latest setback in her Hollywood ambitions, as Vanity Fair labeled her a “local villain” of California—an indication of her diminishing favor in the entertainment industry. The Duchess of Sussex, known for her love of the spotlight, has long sought success in Hollywood, but recent reports suggest the industry has grown increasingly indifferent toward her and Prince Harry.
Daily Mail columnist Maureen Callahan discussed the Vanity Fair article on the podcast Recollections May Vary, hosted by Kinsey Schofield and noted its significance. “This cover story has a lot of teeth, which is something most publications no longer have,” Callahan said. “Vanity Fair thought that they could take a wrecking ball to these two and just obliterate them. It tells you everything we need to know about where they stand in the industry.”
She went on to highlight how Hollywood has seemingly distanced itself from the couple, particularly following a string of professional disappointments. “Whether it’s publishing, podcasting, streaming—it followed the Hollywood Reporter story, which basically said Hollywood is done with them,” Callahan added.
The couple has struggled to maintain their influence in the entertainment world since stepping down from royal duties in 2020. After relocating to California, Meghan and Harry signed lucrative deals with Netflix and Spotify, but some of their projects have failed to gain traction. Their high-profile Archetypes podcast was dropped after just one season, and their Netflix content has faced mixed reviews.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle left the royal family in 2020, citing a toxic environment and alleged racism directed toward their son, Prince Archie. Their explosive interview with Oprah Winfrey and subsequent Netflix docuseries painted a bleak picture of their experience within the monarchy, further fueling tensions with the British royal family.
Now settled in California with their two children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, the couple has continued to pursue media and advocacy work, but their Hollywood reception appears to be cooling. With Vanity Fair’s latest critique and mounting signs that the industry is losing interest, questions remain about what’s next for the Sussexes and whether they can regain their influence in a town that seems ready to move on.
