Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, found herself in an embarrassing and infuriating situation when she was snubbed and ejected by acclaimed actor and director Geoffrey Wright at the American Black Film Festival (ABFF) honors.
The former royal had hoped to attend the event alongside her husband Prince Harry and mingle with stars and filmmakers.
However, her uninvited appearance at the red carpet event on March 3, 2024, held at the SLS Hotel in Beverly Hills, California, did not go as planned.
Geoffrey Wright, honored with the Excellence in the Arts Award, Male, for his notable work in projects like Basquiat, Westworld, and American Fiction, was unimpressed by Meghan’s presence.
Reportedly, he bluntly instructed her to leave, stating, “Get out of here and stop bothering me.”
Wright, a producer and writer, captivated attendees with his elegant attire and charismatic demeanor as he graced the event celebrating excellence in the motion picture and television industry.
The ABFF honors, hosted by comedian and actor Tommy Davidson, also recognized Taraji P. Henson, Garrett Morris, and Mara Brock Akil with various awards.
Meghan, who relocated to the U.S. with Harry and their son Archie after stepping back from royal duties in 2020, aimed to leverage the event to promote their Netflix and Spotify projects and network within the industry.
The couple’s content focuses on mental health, women’s empowerment, and social justice, aligning with their values.
Wright’s disapproval of Meghan stemmed from his disagreement with her and Harry’s decision to depart the royal family for the U.S. A proud American, Wright took offense at Meghan’s criticisms of the country and her involvement in the 2020 presidential election, supporting Joe Biden.
As a staunch advocate of former President Donald Trump, Wright believed Meghan should respect the nation that contributed to her fame and fortune.
Witnesses recounted the tense encounter where Wright directly confronted Meghan, rejecting her greeting attempts with a stern command to depart.
The incident, captured on camera, swiftly went viral on social media, triggering a significant backlash against Meghan.
While many lauded Wright for his candidness, loyalty, and pride, Meghan faced mockery and criticism for her perceived desperation, entitlement, and inability to handle rejection.
The fallout from the incident extended beyond public opinion, risking Meghan’s dignity, identity, and reputation.
Her actions at the ABFF honors jeopardized not only her popularity but also alienated supporters who felt let down and disillusioned by her behavior.
Meghan’s attempt to navigate the event for professional gain instead resulted in a public spectacle that tarnished her image and raised questions about her ability to handle setbacks gracefully.