Meghan Markle’s former agent Ari Emanuel has sparked fresh controversy after suggesting the Duchess of Sussex is being booked for reality television projects, prompting someone close to Meghan to push back against the claim.
The Hollywood mogul discussed his decision to step away from representing the former Suits star during an interview with US broadcaster Megyn Kelly, offering an explanation for why he no longer handles her career directly.
Emanuel insisted that his departure was not about Meghan personally, explaining that he had too many other commitments and believed it was time for other agents to take over her professional needs.
“And for me, I just had a lot on my plate,” he said, explaining that it was better to let other agents deal with her and carry out her wishes.
He continued by describing how his clients often occupied his thoughts from the moment he woke up, adding that he no longer wanted Meghan’s career to demand that level of attention.
“I didn’t want it occupying my brain,” Emanuel said, stressing that his decision had nothing to do with Meghan herself and that he needed to move on to other things he was working on.
During the interview, Kelly, who has frequently criticised Prince Harry and Meghan publicly, questioned whether there had been a substantial appetite for the Duchess’s professional services.
Emanuel responded that other people at his company were now working on projects for Meghan and suggested that opportunities were moving forward without his direct involvement.
“I think she’s actually getting booked and there’s reality stuff and TV stuff. They’re doing stuff. I don’t know about it,” he said.
His remarks quickly drew attention because they appeared to suggest that Meghan could be considering reality television alongside other entertainment projects. However, Emanuel did not confirm that a specific reality series had been agreed upon.
A source close to Meghan subsequently challenged that interpretation, telling news.com.au that the suggestion of a fly-on-the-wall reality show was far from the truth.
“As Ari himself says, he’s not involved in the day to day business of Meghan’s career,” the source said, arguing that Emanuel was not in a position to describe all the Duchess’s current plans.
The insider added that Meghan was exploring a range of opportunities across scripted and non-scripted television, suggesting that her professional ambitions extended beyond the reality TV format mentioned during the interview.
“She’s looking at a lot of exciting scripted and non-scripted opportunities, but the idea that she might do a fly-on-the-wall reality TV show is for the birds,” the source added.
The response appears intended to distinguish between Meghan exploring television projects and committing to a programme that would document her private life. No specific new project was confirmed in the comments.
Meghan has pursued several entertainment and lifestyle ventures since stepping back from senior royal duties with Harry in 2020. Her next professional moves continue to attract attention, particularly as the couple balance public projects with family life in California.
Emanuel’s comments have now added another layer to the discussion about the direction of Meghan’s career, although his remarks do not establish that a reality series is in development.
For now, the Duchess’s reported television plans remain broad, with the source close to her insisting that a fly-on-the-wall reality show is not on the agenda.
