Misan Hariman Draws the Line: No Meghan Markle at the Oscars

In a surprising twist leading up to the 2024 Oscars, renowned director Misan Hariman has reportedly declined to bring Meghan Markle as his guest to the prestigious event.

This decision comes amid claims that the Duchess of Sussex had some rather lofty demands, including wanting to review the presenter scripts beforehand.

The buzz around the Oscars is heightened by the nomination of Hariman's short film, “The After,” for Best Live Action Short Film.

Meghan, a close friend of Hariman, is expected to be celebrating this achievement, as she has been an active supporter of his work.

Their friendship dates back to 2021 when Hariman captured a memorable photograph of Meghan and Prince Harry announcing their second pregnancy.

He has also taken portraits of their daughter, Lilibet, solidifying their bond.

Meghan's involvement with “The After” has been evident; she attended a Tastemakers event in Los Angeles last November, where she engaged with both Hariman and the film's lead actor, David Oyelowo.

The film has garnered multiple accolades this season, including Best Short Film at the Astra Film Awards and the African American Film Critics Association, marking a significant milestone for Hariman in his directorial debut.

As the excitement builds for the Oscars, other films are also in the running, including “Invincible,” “Night of Fortune,” “Red, White and Blue,” and “The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar.”

However, it seems that not all news surrounding Meghan is positive.

A source revealed through Blind Item that her attempts to secure a spot on the red carpet were met with resistance from Hariman, who was not willing to comply with her perceived unreasonable requests.

The allegations suggest that Meghan would insist on having the final say over the presenter's script to avoid any jokes at her expense while also demanding praise for herself.

Additionally, she would want to dictate seating arrangements and even inquire about the outfits of other attendees.

Given these stipulations, it appears that Hariman has decided it's best to keep his distance.

The situation is particularly poignant considering Meghan's recent absence from the SAG-AFTRA picket lines during the writers' strike.

Her choice to sit next to Netflix's Ted Sarandos at a Beyoncé concert while the strike was ongoing did not sit well with many in Hollywood.

This lack of solidarity has reportedly contributed to her growing unpopularity within the industry.

As the saying goes, Hollywood has a long memory.

Many believe that Meghan's failure to show support for her fellow actors and writers has made her an outcast.

Instead of aligning herself with the striking community, she opted to prioritize her role as a producer, which may have further alienated her from the very people she needs to win over.

If Hariman were to take Meghan as his plus-one, it could potentially jeopardize his own career.

The entertainment industry thrives on associations, and being linked to Meghan and Harry at this moment could be detrimental.

The term “being Markled” has emerged to describe the fallout from such associations, and Hariman seems acutely aware of this risk.

The Oscars have been streamlined in recent years to focus on the most prestigious awards, leaving some categories untelevised.

This raises questions about whether Hariman's nomination will even be part of the main televised event.

With the stakes so high, it's understandable why he would want to avoid any unnecessary drama.