SAG-AFTRA President Expels Meghan Markle from Union over Strike Silence

The recent strike within the entertainment industry has prompted numerous A-list celebrities to stand in solidarity with their fellow Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) members by participating in picket lines to support the ongoing strike.

Renowned figures like Kevin Bacon have been actively engaging in the picketing and offering moral encouragement during this critical period. However, there is one notable actress notably absent from this scene - Meghan Markle.

Surprisingly, Meghan had been a member of the SAG-AFTRA union and had previously expressed pride in her modest acting beginnings. Her acting career commenced on the ABC soap opera "General Hospital," and she subsequently gained fame through the basic cable show "Suits." During her widely-discussed Oprah interview in 2021, Meghan mentioned missing her union membership but had relinquished it for the sake of her role within the monarchy.

Previously, SAG-AFTRA had publicly expressed support for Meghan after her appearance on the Oprah interview, offering encouraging tweets and highlighting the significance of union safeguards for actors. However, since then, Meghan's silence regarding the ongoing strike has raised inquiries and reservations about her position on the matter.

One plausible explanation for Meghan's silence could be connected to her substantial £78 million contract with Netflix, a major streaming platform that has declined cooperation with striking actors and writers. There could be a potential conflict of interest for Meghan, given that her contractual obligations to Netflix might hinder her from openly endorsing the strike.

According to a celebrity-focused website, SAG-AFTRA President Fran Drescher reportedly expressed dissatisfaction with Meghan's lack of support for the strike, which purportedly led to Meghan's expulsion from the union.

Prominent A-list stars, including Margot Robbie, Cillian Murphy, and Matt Damon, have vocally supported the SAG-AFTRA strike. Notably, Netflix has stood by Prince Harry and Meghan, dismissing any rumors of discord following the conclusion of the couple's Spotify deal.

The ongoing strike has witnessed celebrities gathering for rallies and voicing their concerns about equitable contracts and the utilization of artificial intelligence within the entertainment sector. The strike has persisted for nearly two weeks and has drawn attention to compensation issues prevalent in the industry.

Amid these unfolding events, Meghan's silence on the matter has sparked speculation about her current standpoint and priorities. While her prior association with SAG-AFTRA reflected her appreciation for its protective measures, her current circumstances and commitments appear to have influenced her response to the ongoing strike.