Netflix CEO Was Reportedly Warned Against Working With Harry and Meghan: 'Don't Do This Deal'

TV presenter JJ Anisiobi claims that Ted Sarandos was warned against working with the Sussexes but kept brushing the concerns aside.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's recent row with Netflix shows no signs of dying down. Amid all the drama, the Sussexes have aggressively pushed back against claims questioning their alleged poor professionalism. While they insist they remain on good terms with Netflix's CEO, Ted Sarandos, he has recently unfollowed Markle on Instagram. Weighing in on this tense exchange, TV presenter JJ Anisiobi claimed that Sarandos had been repeatedly warned against working with the couple but kept brushing these concerns aside.

As reported by The Daily Express, Anisiobi said on the Daily Expresso show that about 10 of Sarandos's chiefs of staff had reportedly advised him against investing millions in Harry and Markle and cautioned him not to "work with this woman." He alleged, "Sarandos was warned in advance, 'don't do this deal.' But he's the top dog. And he said, 'No, this is going to be great.' And they released a documentary, Harry and Meghan, and it was super successful, right?" However, he opined that every project involving the Sussexes since then had been 'pitiful,' as the public was no longer interested in seeing Markle's lifestyle brand or her Netflix cooking show, With Love, Meghan.

To add insult to injury, Anisiobi believed that Sarandos had dug his own grave by deliberately associating himself with the Sussexes. He continued, "Netflix, the senior staff, none of them wanted this to happen, but Sarandos pushed ahead regardless. And now he has egg on his face. I'm happy he's at least woken up to this and has now pulled the plug officially, but he was warned and went ahead with it anyway." His comments come just a day after Sarandos and his Creative Chief, Bela Bajaria, unfollowed both Markle and As Ever on Instagram.

While public statements from both camps maintain utmost professionalism, rumors suggest that Sarandos, who was once one of Harry and Markle's most vocal champions, has significantly distanced himself. Reports alleged that communication between them had become so toxic that he avoided direct calls unless his lawyer was present. However, both parties have since rebutted the claims, with a representative of the Sussexes dismissing it as being 'blatantly false.' They also denied that Markle disconnected from official meetings when things didn't go her way.