Prince Harry and Meghan Markle hit back at claims Netflix was blindsided by Oprah interview
Harry and Meghan's 2021 Oprah interview sent shockwaves through the palace
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have firmly denied claims that Netflix was caught off guard by their explosive Oprah Winfrey interview in 2021.
A spokesperson for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex said reports suggesting the streaming giant was blindsided by the tell-all sit-down were “categorically false”.
The statement comes after reports claimed Netflix executives were frustrated by what sources described as a lack of communication from the couple following their multi-million-pound production deal.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle deny claims Netflix was ‘blindsided’ by Oprah interview
Earlier this week, Variety reported that Netflix executives were reportedly “annoyed” by Harry and Meghan’s decision to sit down for the tell-all interview.
They alleged that the streaming giant only found out about the decision at the “last minute”.
Responding to the allegations, the couple’s representative stressed that any changes to their working arrangements were handled properly.
“Netflix and Archewell had legal counsel involved to oversee the evolution of the deal, as is common practice for any deal changes in Hollywood,” they announced, as reported by GB News.
They added that claims Netflix was unaware of the interview were “categorically false”.
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Harry and Meghan’s interview with Oprah aired in March 2021 and sent shockwaves around the world.
During the programme, Meghan revealed she had experienced suicidal thoughts while pregnant with their son Prince Archie, and alleged there had been concerns within the royal family about Archie’s skin colour.
She also spoke about a disagreement with Kate Middleton over bridesmaid dresses ahead of the couple’s 2018 wedding.
Following the broadcast, Buckingham Palace issued a statement acknowledging the seriousness of the claims.
The palace said the family was “saddened” to hear how difficult the past few years had been. They described the allegations regarding race as “concerning”.
Harry and Meghan Netflix deal
Just months before the interview aired, Harry and Meghan signed a multi-year production agreement with Netflix.
Through their company Archewell Productions, the couple agreed to produce documentaries, feature films and children’s programming.
Their projects have included documentaries such as Heart of Invictus and the highly watched series Harry & Meghan, which chronicled their relationship and decision to step back from royal duties.
After the five-year deal ended last year, Netflix chose to continue their partnership with the couple. However, the deal was changed to a first-look deal.
The latest comments come amid renewed scrutiny of the Sussexes’ Hollywood ventures. Reports also suggested Netflix was “blindsided” again when Spare was announced during the rollout of the couple’s Netflix series.
Released in January 2023, the memoir went on to become the fastest-selling nonfiction book ever.
However, the Sussexes’ representatives insist their partnership with Netflix has always been managed professionally.
Meanwhile, the couple has also also pushed back against claims about the couple’s working relationship during meetings. Variety claimed that the duchess has a tendency to “talk over or recast Prince Harry’s thoughts”.
In a response, the Sussexes lawyer, Michael J. Kump, bashed the claim as “misogynistic”.
“[It] seems calculated to play into the misogynistic characterization of her bossing her husband around,” he argued.
Read more: ‘Rare’ Prince Harry statement proves fresh damning Meghan Markle claims have ‘hit a very raw nerve’
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