Meghan Markle Reportedly Finds New Audience After Hollywood’s ‘Inner Sanctum’ Failed to Embrace Her
One of Meghan's earlier strategies involved establishing relationships with some of Hollywood’s most influential figures; now that approach seems to have shifted.
Building a successful business requires a constant readiness to pivot, and reports suggest Meghan Markle is doing exactly that. Since launching her lifestyle brand, As Ever, the Duchess has left no stone unturned to carve out a space in the competitive wellness market. While her initial strategy relied heavily on leveraging relationships with Hollywood’s most influential figures, new insider claims suggest she is shifting her approach to help the brand reach new horizons.
According to Rob Shuter’s Naughty But Nice Substack, Markle is rapidly turning to social media influencers after multiple efforts to establish deeper connections within Hollywood’s elite reportedly failed to deliver the results she was expecting. A source revealed, “Meghan wanted to be part of Hollywood’s inner sanctum.” They added, “She thought relationships with the biggest names in entertainment would lead to lasting friendships, partnerships, and opportunities. It simply didn’t happen.” Another insider shared that even if Meghan frequently made it to the headlines alongside many famous names from the Hollywood circles, many of those relationships never evolved beyond public appearances, and thus, a new approach was needed.
The reported shift is already being reflected in some of Markle's recent partnerships. Another well-placed source explained, “The interest wasn’t mutual. Hollywood was happy to be photographed with her, but very few people were inviting her into their real circles.” Insiders pointed to her collaboration with lifestyle creator Olivia McDowell as an example of how As Ever may increasingly rely on digital creators and highly engaged online communities rather than traditional celebrity endorsements. A source elaborated, “This pivot is happening because the A-list route didn’t work out. The people Meghan wanted most either kept their distance or moved on. Influencers are more accessible, more collaborative, and often more valuable commercially.”
The shift also comes amid renewed speculation about some of the Sussexes' celebrity relationships. While several A-list figures attended their 2018 wedding, reports in recent years have suggested some of those connections may not be as close as they once appeared. One source told The Daily Mail, “They don’t get it. They never think it is them,” adding, “They love famous people; they are very name-droppy. The association gives them a kick. But if someone stops calling, they don’t ask why.”
Questions about the status of some of the friendships have also come to light. Sources revealed Oprah Winfrey is “not as close as they once were.” At the same time, former columnist Paula Froelich has remarked, “The truth is Oprah has been long-arming the Sussexes for some time.” Yet, despite these claims, sources close to Markle have revealed she remains focused on looking ahead. A source told Shuter, “She keeps moving forward. When one door closes, she looks for another. That’s always been her approach.” At last, one Hollywood insider summarized the whole thing by stating, “If the celebrities won’t come to Meghan, Meghan will find a different audience.”
