Ari Emanuel, the influential Hollywood agent and entertainment power broker, has confirmed for the first time that he is no longer working directly with Meghan, Duchess of Sussex—an arrangement he described as “a great thing.”
Meghan joined William Morris Endeavor (WME) in April 2023, with the agency tasked with helping develop her production projects and secure commercial brand partnerships.
Her representation team included Jill Smoller, who also represents Meghan’s friend Serena Williams, and Brad Slater, whose clients include actor and former wrestler Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson.
Speculation about the relationship surfaced in February last year, when reports suggested WME had dropped Meghan and that she had not met with Emanuel since January 2024.
At the time, WME rejected the suggestion that it had cut ties with the duchess, saying the agency continued to work with her, particularly on projects connected to the Archewell Foundation, which she runs with Prince Harry.
However, in a new interview with The Sunday Times to promote his memoir Roll the Calls, Emanuel confirmed that he and Meghan went their separate ways last year.
When asked by the newspaper’s magazine about the direction of Meghan’s career, Emanuel replied: “Here’s the great thing: I don’t have to think about that any more.”
A source confirmed to Our News Outlet that Emanuel is no longer part of Meghan’s personal team. However, the duchess continues to be represented by WME, the Beverly Hills-based agency.
WME executive chairman Ari Emanuel, 65, pictured with his wife Sarah Staudinger, 37, at the Cannes Film Festival
Emanuel’s memoir was ghostwritten by John Moehringer, the same writer who worked with Prince Harry on his controversial 2023 autobiography, Spare.
One of the entertainment world’s most prominent figures, Emanuel founded the Endeavor talent agency in 1995. The company later merged with William Morris Agency in 2009 to create WME.
Born in Chicago, Emanuel also served as the real-life inspiration for Ari Gold, the fast-talking Hollywood super-agent portrayed by Jeremy Piven in HBO’s comedy-drama series Entourage.
The latest development comes as Harry and Meghan navigate a period of renewed public attention after returning to the UK a month ago, following six years living in the United States. The couple have since been involved in a dispute with Buckingham Palace over their status, while their children have reportedly changed schools after security concerns were raised about the daily journey.
Harry and Meghan stepped away from their roles as working royals in 2020, citing personal and financial considerations. Their unexpected move back to Britain from California has nevertheless prompted continuing speculation about the reasons behind the decision.
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Possible explanations have included a desire for Archie and Lilibet to spend more time with their grandfather, King Charles, Meghan’s reported interest in returning to acting and the couple’s wish to raise their public profile.
Before their return, Charles was said to welcome the prospect of seeing more of his family while maintaining that Harry and Meghan would not resume duties as working royals. The King was also understood to have ruled out any “half-in, half-out” arrangement.
Within a fortnight of their arrival, reports suggested that the Sussexes had objected to a formal letter authorised by the King and circulated by the Lord Chamberlain to senior government and military figures. The document reiterated that the couple were private citizens and provided guidance on how they should be treated.
The duke and duchess were reportedly taken aback by the letter. As they await a decision on whether they will receive taxpayer-funded security, they are said to prefer being described as “public figures” rather than private citizens.
Harry and Meghan attend the David Foster Foundation’s 40th anniversary celebration in Victoria, Canada—their final public engagement together before returning to the UK
Education has become another concern for the Sussex family. Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet were reportedly transferred to a different, undisclosed school after spending only two days at their initial institution.
The decision came after heavy traffic and the lengthy journey to the school reportedly put their security team under strain.
PR guru Mark Borkowski said earlier this month that the couple’s return to Britain underlined their failure to achieve the success they had hoped for in the US.
He told Our News Outlet: ‘It is a wounded brand. Leaving the US suggests Meghan has no power. No one is buying it any longer.
‘The Meghan tragedy is that she has enjoyed unlimited access to amplification and, in reality, a steadily diminishing supply of affection.
‘The Harry and Meghan brand isn’t dead, but it has begun to resemble a glittering palace chandelier hanging by one screw: glamorous, expensive and increasingly unwise to stand underneath.’
Eric Schiffer, chairman of Reputation Management Consultants, also told Newsweek that Meghan had lost her chance to become an A-lister by leaving the US.
‘This is the kiss of death to stardom in America for both of them. They got beaten like a rented mule during this process,’ he said. ‘There may be a B-list acting career, but there’s going to be tremendous friction, largely because most people don’t care.
‘Their strength was in giving back, and I think they were happiest when they did that. Maybe they’ll find their way back to it because that’s where they can really do good and find deeper meaning.’
