- Meghan was among host of celebrities at Beyoncé gig in LA on Monday night
Meghan Markle’s latest trip to watch Beyonce in concert may have been more business than pleasure, after she was spotted mingling with the boss of Netflix.
The Duchess of Sussex was seen sat next to the streaming giant’s CEO Ted Sarandos, and his wife, Nicole Avant, at the SoFi stadium in California on Monday night.
One topic of discussion may have been husband Prince Harry’s Invictus Games documentary, which was branded a flop having failed to make Netflix’s top ten in either Britain or the US.
However, Meghan herself seems to have had more success on the platform, after the legal drama which propelled her to stardom enjoyed an unlikely summer renaissance.
Suits broke a streaming record after hitting 3.14 billion minutes of a viewing time over seven days between June and July.
Meghan Markle’s latest trip to watch Beyonce in concert may have been more business than pleasure, after she was spotted mingling with the boss of Netflix
The Duchess of Sussex was seen sat next to the streaming giant’s CEO Ted Sarandos, and his wife, Nicole Avant, at the SoFi stadium in California on Monday night
It comes after it was claimed last month that Netflix executives paid £3million for the film rights to a romantic novel that Meghan and Harry will produce for the streaming service as part of their £80m deal.
Initial reports suggested the couple had personally stumped up the money for Carley Fortune’s The Meet Me At The Lake, which echoes their personal story and includes a character whose parent dies in a car crash.
However, an insider told Page Six it was Netflix itself that purchased the rights for them to produce a film adaptation under their Archewell Productions arm.
The source described the book as ‘right up their alley’ because they ‘love love stories and rom-coms’. The Sussexes famously wanted to tell their own ‘love story’ in their bombshell 2022 Netflix documentary ‘Harry & Meghan.’
Film expert and founder of Movie Metropolis Adam Brannon told FEMAIL it could be a huge hit for the platform.
‘There is potential for Meet Me at the Lake to be one of Netflix’s most popular films, joining the likes of Red Notice, The Adam Project, Purple Hearts and Extraction.
‘Romance films, especially those based on novels generally perform very well on the streaming service, becoming sleeper hits in which they silently rack up millions of viewing hours over longer periods of time when compared to all-out blockbusters’.
While Netflix don’t release official viewing figures, they previously revealed that Red Notice had 364,020,000 viewing figures in its first 28 days of release – meaning around 182million households watched it.
However, PR guru Mark Borkowski believes the financial backers of the Netflix adaptation overpaid because the Sussexes ‘have zero track record in drama or producing anything of consequence’.
Mr Borkowski told MailOnline the timing of the announcement, with lots of negativity around the couple, makes him ‘suspect there is more to this than meets the eye’.
He said: ‘They need to do something. According to Tom Bower they fell out with the Beckhams. Harry was forced to cold shoulder Becks because of Meghan’s position on Victoria.
‘The rights for this could have cost up to £3million. Although, if it’s a best-seller, you wouldn’t be handing it to Harry and Meghan. There’s some amazing drama producers out there. Why would you give away a prize asset?’
It comes as it emerged yesterday that Meghan partied with Katy Perry, the Kardashians, Lizzo, Chris Rock, Adele, the Biebers and a host of other stars at Beyonce’s 42nd birthday concert.
Kerry Washington, Kelly Rowland and Meghan Markle at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles last night
Rowland and Meghan pose at the Beyoncé concert in Los Angeles yesterday. Fans remarked on the similarity between last night’s image and Meghan’s pictures on The Tig (right with Jessica Mulroney) amid rumours the brand will return
The Duchess of Sussex stuck close to Tyler Perry, Lilibet’s billionaire godfather, as she posed for pictures in a VIP Champagne bar at the SoFi Stadium.
Footage on social media showed Meghan laughing with Destiny’s Child singer Kelly Rowland and A-list actress Kerry Washington as Hollywood glitterati including Kris Jenner, Kim Kardashian, Jeff Bozos and other big names rubbed shoulders at one of the biggest celebrity gatherings of 2023.
Meghan is rumoured to be on the brink of a massive commercial relaunch of her Tig blog to rival Gwyneth Paltrow’s $250million brand Goop.
A return to Instagram is also said to be on the cards – with experts predicting she could make $1million or more per sponsored post.
It came after Prince Harry mingled with stars at the LAFC match on Sunday night, where he appeared to have developed a bromance with Rob McElhenney and Will Ferrell.
During the match with Messi’s Inter Miami, Harry sat next to Hollywood venture capitalist friend Adam Lilling, who is thought to be helping the Sussexes with their big rebrand after success with Matthew McConaughey and Nicole Kidman.
On Monday. Meghan was present at SoFi Stadium for the third of three dates by Beyoncé on her Renaissance world tour.
She was also at the first gig last Friday with Prince Harry, who was pictured looking bored while his wife and mother-in-law danced.
The Sussexes have been regulars at celeb-packed events in California in the past week, after months of largely keeping a low profile. Harry heads to Europe this week for the WellChild Awards in London and then to the Invictus Games in Dusseldorf.
Photos taken of the Duchess show her looking similar to her days as an actress and influencer with a laid-back style, compared to the formality of being a working royal.
Her appearance with Django Unchained star Washington and Beyoncé’s ex-Destiny’s Child bandmate Rowland will no doubt help launch her back into the Hollywood fold.
Harry went to see LAFC on Sunday and was pictured with Rob McElhenney
Khloe Kardashian, Penelope Disick, Kim Kardashian, North West and Kris Jenner last night
It comes after Harry was seen at a Los Angeles FC match on Sunday next to venture capitalist Adam Lilling who is said to be helping the Sussexes with their big rebrand.
Last night Beyoncé was joined on stage by Diana Ross – while other celebrities attending included Khloe Kardashian, Penelope Disick, Kim Kardashian, North West, Kris Jenner, Lauren Sanchez and Jeff Bezos who posed together for a group photo.
Actresses Francia Raisa and Yara Shahidi were also photographed by Mr Mazur at SoFi Stadium – as was model Hailey Bieber, singer Lizzo and comedian Chris Rock.
Other stars who were there – but not photographed by Mr Mazur – included Adele, Katy Perry, Zendaya, Tom Holland, Kate Hudson, Justin Bieber, Normani and Brandy.
On Friday, Meghan was spotted dancing the night away at Beyonce’s first date at the SoFi Stadium, but Harry gazed at his phone while the party continued.
The Sussexes were spotted in a private box along with Meghan’s mother Doria Ragland and Meghan’s Suits co-star and close friend Abigail Spencer. They wore silver to match the singer’s request that her fans wear the colour to her show.
Meghan was seen clapping and waving her arms, while Ms Ragland was seen dancing. Harry however had his hands in his pockets or glued to his phone.
Later this week, Harry is due to make a rare trip back to the UK on Thursday to attend the annual WellChild Awards in London, a charity of which he remains patron.
There are no plans for him to meet his father or brother Prince William, who will be working despite Friday marking the first anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II’s death.
Harry will also then attend the Invictus Games in Dusseldorf from Saturday, with Meghan expected to fly in from California to join him during the competition.
Last week Harry released his latest Netflix series, Heart of Invictus, which featured athletes preparing for last year’s edition of the games and saw the Duke open up about his mental health struggles after returning from military duty in Afghanistan.
And last month Meghan enjoyed a girls’ night out at the SoFi Stadium when she went with friends to watch a Taylor Swift concert.
The 42-year-old was joined by her British best friend Lucy Fraser as they watched Swift’s Eras Tour while Harry was in Japan and Singapore with his best friend Nacho Figueras promoting his charity work.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were pictured in the crowd with Meghan’s mother Doria Ragland at SoFi Stadium on Friday for the first night of Beyoncé’s three dates at the venue
On August 26, Meghan’s mother Doria Ragland was seen cosying up to Kris Jenner and Kim Kardashian at a glitzy event for charity This Is Humanity in Los Angeles
The side-on view of Meghan is reminiscent of her poses in her days before entering the Royal Family – including this picture with her former friend Jessica Mulroney in Toronto in 2016
Beyoncé is joined on stage by Diana Ross during her Renaissance gig in Los Angeles last night
The pictures are reminiscent of those Meghan used to post on her personal Instagram account – including this one in 2016, while fans signed up for her now-defunct lifestyle blog The Tig
Another picture posted by the Duchess as part of her now-defunct lifestyle blog The Tig
Khloe Kardashian, Penelope Disick, Kim Kardashian, North West, Kris Jenner, Lauren Sanchez and Jeff Bezos attend Beyoncé’s Renaissance world tour in Los Angeles last night
Kim Kardashian and Kris Jenner at SoFi Stadium for the Beyoncé concert yesterday
Kim Kardashian is among the starts at the Renaissance world tour gig in Los Angeles last night
Khloe Kardashian and Hailey Bieber at the Renaissance world tour at SoFi Stadium last night
Lizzo and Chris Rock attend the gig at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles yesterday evening
Actresses Francia Raisa (centre) and Yara Shahidi (right) attend the Beyoncé gig last night
And on August 26, Ms Ragland was seen cosying up to the Kardashians at a glitzy event for charity This Is Humanity – which works to raise awareness about separated and reunified families and children at the border.
Meghan’s double appearance at Beyoncé’s gigs comes after the singer accepting a Brit Award in 2019 in front of a portrait showing the Duchess as a royal version of the Mona Lisa.
In a post explaining why they had decided to put Meghan in the frame, Beyoncé and Jay-Z wrote: ‘In honour of Black History Month, we bow down to one of our Melanated Monas. Congrats on your pregnancy! We wish you so much joy.’
Beyoncé also praised Meghan after the Sussexes’ bombshell interview with Oprah Winfrey in 2021, during which the Duchess claimed to have encountered racism within the Royal Family.
Beyoncé posted on her website: ‘Thank you Meghan for your courage and leadership. We are all strengthened and inspired by you.’
In one episode of their Netflix documentary Harry & Meghan released last December, Meghan claimed to have received a supportive text from Beyoncé.
Kloe Kardashian is among the starts at the Renaissance world tour gig in Los Angeles last night
Actress Yara Shahidi attends the Renaissance world tour at SoFi Stadium yesterday evening
Lizzo and Chris Rock attend the gig at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles yesterday evening
Adele smiles next to her boyfriend Rich Paul while watching the gig at SoFi Stadium last night
Katy Perry was also at the gig last night and posted a video to Instagram of her singing along
She told the camera crew: ‘Beyoncé just texted, just checking in… I still can’t believe she knows who I am… She said she wants me to feel safe and protected.
‘She admires and respects my bravery and vulnerability and thinks I was selected to break generational curses that need to be healed.’
The two couples previously had a cringe-inducing meeting during The Lion King premiere in 2019, when they engaged in small talk on the carpet, with Beyoncé reportedly calling Meghan ‘my princess’.
Things took an awkward turn when the Sussexes spoke to the film’s director Jon Favreau and appeared to ask him if there were any voiceover roles available for Meghan.
Video of the encounter showed Beyoncé covering her face before uncomfortably looking away, with some observers suggesting she was cringing over the exchange.
Meanwhile Meghan is reportedly getting ready to ‘re-launch’ herself on Instagram and experts predict she could make one million dollars per post.
Harry (right) looked less than enthused as he stared at his phone on the first night of Beyoncé’s Renaissance tour in Los Angeles – although Meghan was seen dancing the night away
Meghan’s look in Los Angeles last night is far away from her more formal attire and poses when part of the Royal Family. She is pictured with Queen Elizabeth II in Chester on June 14, 2018
Meghan also posed side-on as Rachel Zane in this photo for the TV drama Suits in 2014
The duchess, whose last account with husband Prince Harry, @sussexroyal, had 9.4 million followers before it was deactivated in 2020 when the couple quit being senior Royals, is said to be behind a new account named @meghan.
Decorated with a picture of pink peonies, reportedly Meghan’s favourite flowers, a source close to her team confirmed a fortnight ago: ‘Yes, that’s her. Expect an announcement very soon. She’s coming back.’
The account is already followed by several of Meghan’s friends including activist Mandana Dayani, who served as president of Archewell, the Sussexes’ media and philanthropic company, until last December.
A source told The Mail on Sunday: ‘Everyone in Hollywood is talking about the re-launch being imminent. Meghan has never made any secret of the fact she wants to return to Instagram.’
Prior to her 2018 marriage to Prince Harry, Suits actress Meghan’s personal Instagram following stood at more than three million, while tens of thousands of fans signed up for her now-defunct lifestyle blog The Tig.
Meghan first announced she was planning a return to Instagram in an interview with The Cut last year, telling writer Allison P Davis: ‘Do you want to know a secret? I’m getting back on Instagram.’
The duchess’s ‘new’ account already has 76,000 followers and experts say it could prove a huge boost to her finances.
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