There are three articles out today. One from Hollywood Reporter, one from US Weekly countering it, and one from the daily beast, comparing the two.

The post below contrasts all three.

Meghan: US Weekly

Meghan: Daily Beast

Meghan: Hollywood Reporter

Meghan: Comparing all three

Here’s a comparative analysis of the coverage by The Daily Beast, Us Weekly, and The Hollywood Reporter on Meghan Markle’s workplace behavior, offering insight into the contrasting portrayals and common themes across the three sources:

1. Conflicting Portrayals: The Daily Beast and The Hollywood Reporter both highlight Meghan Markle’s alleged “difficult” behavior as an employer, portraying her as a demanding and sometimes tyrannical boss. In stark contrast, Us Weekly paints a far more flattering picture, with current and former staff defending Meghan as a supportive and compassionate leader. These divergent depictions underline the intense scrutiny surrounding Meghan’s work environment, with some accounts focusing on her high expectations and others on her acts of kindness.
2. Allegations of Bullying: Both The Daily Beast and The Hollywood Reporter delve into serious allegations about Meghan’s management style. The Daily Beast cites former palace aides who claim they witnessed employees being belittled and treated poorly. Similarly, The Hollywood Reporter emphasizes Meghan’s alleged bullying tendencies, quoting sources who describe her as a “dictator in high heels” and claim she frequently reduced staff to tears. These articles draw on palace staff experiences and leaked insider reports, casting Meghan as a tough, perhaps overly demanding, employer.
3. Turnover and “Sussex Survivors Club”: The Hollywood Reporter gives considerable attention to the high turnover rate among Meghan and Harry’s employees, coining the term “Sussex Survivors Club” to describe former staffers who struggled under Meghan’s leadership. The article lists a series of notable staff departures, such as Josh Kettler, Samantha Cohen, and Ben Browning, with sources attributing their exits to Meghan’s management style. The Daily Beast echoes this by pointing out Jason Knauf’s complaints about Meghan’s alleged bullying at Kensington Palace.
4. Positive Rebuttals: In sharp contrast, Us Weekly provides a strong counter-narrative. The article features current and former employees praising Meghan and Harry as attentive and caring bosses. Ben Browning, who helped produce the couple’s Netflix documentary, describes his experience as “positive and supportive,” while Catherine St-Laurent, another former staffer, says she remains close to the couple. Meghan’s current global press secretary, Ashley Hansen, shares personal stories of Meghan’s kindness, particularly during Hansen’s medical leave, illustrating a more nurturing and empathetic side of the duchess.
5. Office Culture and Employee Support: One of the major themes in Us Weekly is Meghan’s effort to create a positive work environment. Employees describe a supportive office culture where Meghan and Harry express personal concern for their staff, often sending flowers, care packages, and thoughtful gifts. In contrast, The Daily Beast emphasizes Meghan’s alleged volatility, with some staff claiming they were treated poorly and likened to “tradesmen.” These opposing narratives highlight the gap between internal employee experiences and public perceptions shaped by media reports.
6. Meghan’s Self-Perception: In The Hollywood Reporter, Meghan’s own comments about asserting herself in professional situations are included, suggesting that she has faced challenges in setting boundaries without being labeled difficult. Meghan speaks of her efforts to overcome a tendency to “tiptoe” in meetings, framing her assertiveness as part of her growth. This contrasts with external perceptions of her as overly demanding, offering insight into how Meghan may view her leadership style versus how it is received by others.
7. Underlying Themes: Across all three articles, a recurring theme is Meghan’s strong personality and the intense scrutiny she faces. The Daily Beast and The Hollywood Reporter underscore the difficulties staff have allegedly faced while working for Meghan, while Us Weekly pushes back with testimonials from staff who remain loyal to her. Meghan’s supporters argue that her tough leadership style is blown out of proportion, especially in light of “Megxit.” Ultimately, these varied perspectives reveal the complexity of managing public figures like Meghan, who inspire both admiration and criticism, depending on the source.

This comparison shows how Meghan Markle’s leadership is subject to drastically different interpretations, with The Daily Beast and The Hollywood Reporter focusing on allegations of toxicity, while Us Weekly highlights loyalty, support, and kindness from her staff.