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saintmeghanmarkle · 3 months

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Soho house deep dive - part 7, MM's early days at Soho house, Markus and MM - meetings with Weinstein, Soho house contacts - MM - listed as a 'notable friend' of Weinstein

Hi All,

As part of the 'Deep Dive' series - in part 7 we explore the links between MM, Weinstein and Soho house in greater depth...

MM - ever networking

As previously mentioned in my deep dive series, MM's links to Soho house date to at least 2010, at the (then) newly established Soho house in West Hollywood. At that stage, MM had been networking for roles for years, alongside her then partner, Trevor Engelson. People who knew them at the time noted that they were highly active 'networkers' - knowing that obtaining important connections was an important way to get breaks and roles. They were obscure and low ranking in comparison to the countless other wannabe producers and actors in Hollywood at the time, and obtaining access to the most elite circles, and people, was difficult to do.

The importance of Soho house, and Weinstein

Getting in to Soho house was a 'holy grail' for aspiring wannabes. Throughout the 2000's/2010's obtaining access to elite members clubs (such as Soho house) and speaking to the 'mega producers' of the time, the biggest of all being Miramax head, Harvey Weinstein, was seen as a 'golden ticket' that could launch a career. Even the biggest stars fawned over Weinstein like the pope, and one phrase was that 'success was in relation to an association with Harvey Weinstein'.

One documentary spoofed this phenomenon - 'Inflitr8 media' - where a group bluffed their way into Soho house, TIFF and met Harvey Weinstein.

Fawning over Weinstein

It should also be noted that while it is now known that Weinstein was a predator, there were still many people that would still fawn over Weinstein in exchange for roles, and there were also those ambitious actresses that would actively pursue Weinstein in exchange for roles, as well as associates, business partners, journalists and assistants that enabled Weinstein's behaviour.

The fawning and enablement of Weinstein was widespread for decades

Even after Weinstein was publicly accused, in 2019, there were models and actors/actresses that still fawned over Weinstein.

MM - networking to get roles - helped her land small roles

It is highly likely that as extremely ambitious networkers both Engelson and Markle would have gone to great lengths to meet a producer like Weinstein or set foot in Soho house.

MM had only been successful in obtaining a handful of roles since 2003, but had extensively networked including with (now notorious) producer Brett Ratner, and by 2009 had obtained small roles, such as the Beverly Hills carpark scene, as a delivery girl etc. Since becoming a 'briefcase girl' in Deal or No Deal in 2006, MM had attended Brett Ratner's parties several times per week, for years (detailed by Tom Bower in 'Revenge').

2010 - MM's early days with Soho house

Thanks to MM's ex-Ninaki Priddy, we have an early record of MM's involvement in Soho house in West Hollywood in 2010. There are photos from two different dates (indicated by both of them wearing different clothes).

Soho house West Hollywood - 2010 (1)

Because Soho house has a strict no cameras' policy - except for Soho house's own security cameras of course, and the photo booths - which MM and Ninaki Priddy can be seen in, in the West Hollywood Soho house, which opened in 2010.

How did MM get into Soho house?

What is interesting about the photograph of MM and Ninaki Priddy is that they were likely either both guests of two other members (members can invite one guest each). Or, importantly that MM was herself a Soho house member at this stage, and Ninaki was her guest. they also opened their first Soho house - photos show MM and Ninaki Priddy at the West Hollywood in 2010. MM is crowding Ninaki out of the frame in both events (classic narcissistic behavior).

Soho house West Hollywood (2) - 2010

A less likely scenario is that Ninaki was also a Soho member, this may be the case, but the ultra exclusive club for celebrities (albeit of different levels) was most likely to be accessed by Trevor and MM, due to their more direct film industry contacts.

Who sponsored Meghan to become a Soho house member?

What is interesting about this 2010 photo booth is that it indicates that by this time, it was possible that MM was a Soho house member.

Another possibility is that MM, worked at Soho house in LA, possibly as a waiter or hostess, and made enough connections to convince them to let her join.

It is possible that it was Trevor that sponsored MM to become a Soho house member. He was seen at Soho house in 2015. Trevor may have had industry contacts that allowed him to become one. Given Trevor's associations with the Anti-Defamation league (a Jewish association for preventing negative stereotypes about Jewish people), this gave him access to the high profile Soho house members, like Harvey Weinstein, who was able to sponsor others to be members. Getting to Soho house, and being able to speak to Weinstein was seen as a career 'golden ticket' at the time.

Another possibility is that MM had succeeded in meeting Harvey Weinstein himself, who was known to dangle (like a carrot) the offer sponsorship to be a Soho house member, in turn for shady/creepy 'favors' of course. The networking/career potential of Soho house was widely known in Hollywood, and allegedly, the creepy behaviour of Weinstein was widely known as well.

Soho house West Hollywood opening - March 2010

Soho house West Hollywood opened in March 2010. Longtime Soho house member and fan, Harvey Weinstein held numerous events at Soho house for the opening, which coincided with the awards season. Weinstein had a house in West Hollywood, so wasn't far away. Other high profile Soho house members such as Billionaire Ron Burkle, lived only a few minutes away from Soho house West Hollywood - Rob Burkle had been a member since 2002, and in 2012, became the majority owner of Soho house. Burkle was also listed in Epstein's 'black book', though it is not known in what capacity. Weinstein and Epstein also had close connections, and often 'worked together', where Weinstein would set aside small roles for models or actresses in exchange for 'favors'. Weinstein is also known to have offered membership to Soho house to aspiring models and actresses - like a bait - in exchange for 'favors'.

An extremely sinister trio - Weinstein, Epstein and Maxwell

Weinstein was known to be closely linked to other producers and directors, including Brett Ratner, who was also accused of SA by other actresses and models.

Late 2010 - MM's career starts to look up

By 24 August 2010, MM's career was looking up, she had successfully hooked a role in the pilot for 'Suits'. While pilots didn't always go anywhere, she was starting to get more roles.

MM and roles in the Weinstein company - 2011-2012

By 2011, MM had begun to be heavily involved in networking at Soho house, and by 2011, notably, she also got small roles in films owned by the Weinstein company (2011 - 'Horrible Bosses' and 2012 'Five Year Engagement'. These films were not well received, and the acting of MM was mediocre, but they were still roles. In my opinion, MM definitely had worked her way towards, and knew Weinstein by this point.

In my opinion, it is highly likely that MM went to some effort to meet Harvey Weinstein, befriend his wife and other associates, and that MM definitely met Harvey Weinstein, and it benefitted her career.

2011 - MM in Toronto - alongside Markus Anderson, attending events at Soho house such as TIFF

By 2011, MM - alongside her then husband Trevor, was photographed at an ADL event, with her arm around several high profile producers - including those such as Ryan Kavanagh, a business partner of both Ron Burkle and Harvey Weinstein.

MM and Ryan Kavanagh in 2011

Weinstein and Kavanagh had business ties - as with Ron Burkle

Weinstein had a major presence at Soho houses around the globe, and was a regular at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), where he held private movie screenings and other events at Soho house.

Markus Anderson was known as the 'queen bee' of TIFF, who organized events and 'connected people'.

Mysterious Markus- 'Queen Bee' of TIFF

In my personal opinion, he would have known Weinstein well, and as well as organizing events that Weinstein was involved in, appeared at the same parties as Weinstein, Ron Burkle etc. Nick Jones ('a friend from long before she met Harry'), who knows MM well, is also photographed alongside Weinstein.

2013 - Weinstein, Nick Jones at Toronto Soho house

Weinstein and Ron Burkle

2012, 2013 - MM, Soho house, Weinstein links

In 2012, MM was also photographed attending another Weinstein company event, as well as other events related to him, including TIFF. Notably, Trevor Engelson was not present at these events, with some reports that MM had separated from him as early as September 2012.

MM - at Weinstein Company Ball in early 2012

MM at the Producers Ball - in 2012

MM also worked her way into Weinstein's innermost circle, by befriending his wife. By 2013, and 2014, MM also appeared wearing 'Marchesa' the fashion brand designed by Weinstein's wife, Georgina Chapman, and funded by Weinstein, which was associated with 'Harvey' girls, those who had (allegedly) knowingly exchanged favors with Weinstein.

2013 - MM divorces Trevor - deepens friendship with Markus Anderson

When MM met Markus is not exactly certain, but a reasonable guess is that it was shortly before, or in her early days of being involved in Soho house. Markus filled the role that Trevor had previously provided - supplying her with contacts, but he was also known to set MM up on dates, as well as advise her on career friendly choices...

Markus Anderson - set MM up on dates (allegedly ;-) )

MM mysterious modelling roles

Interestingly, by 2013, while MM had struggled to find substantive roles outside of Suits - she had failed to obtain a role on the reality show 'Made in Chelsea' and 'Strictly Come Dancing', for instance, she was increasingly listed as a 'model', when photographed wearing Marchesa, despite being of a shorter stature than even the shortest commercial models (the cut off is usually 5.9"), whereas MM is estimated to be only 5.6".

MM - seen wearing Marchesa in early 2014 - at Georgina Chapman's fashion show

MM, Harvey Weinstein's inner circle, and associates. 2013 - 2014

MM also made her way into Weinstein's inner circle - and befriended Georgina Chapman - Harvey Weinstein's wife (at the time) in these years.

MM and Georgina Chapman - 2014

In posts on the Tig MM seems to be ingratiating herself towards Georgina Chapman, and is seen wearing Marchesa dress's around this time (Marchesa is Georgina Chapman's fashion brand).

Wearing Marchesa in 2013

Georgina Chapman brand Marchesa -

In early 2014, MM appeared in New York in a Marchesa fashion show, and attended Georgina Chapman's fashion show in New York, as well as including photobooth (presumably Soho house) photographs of her and Georgina Chapman on 'the Tig'.

She was also photographed on the side of a couch, wearing Marchesa, at the New York fashion shoot.

MM - wearing Marchesa - in early 2014 - at Georgina Chapman's fashion show

The Soho house Grey Goose Vodka party - Weinstein's 'notable friend'

In September 2014, Weinstein was the guest of honor at the 'Grey Goose Vodka' party at Soho house in Toronto - most of the photographs are hidden behind a members only screen. The event celebrated the release of the 'Imitation Game' - the Weinstein company film. Weinstein as listed as attending, along with 'Notable Friends' - including... Meghan Markle, from Suits.

In 2014 - Soho house Toronto hosted Weinstein as the 'guest of honor' - alongside his 'notable friends'

2014 - Toronto Soho house 'guest of honor' - Weinstein and notable friend - Markle

After the trial

In later years, after Weinstein was arrested and trailed by 2018, it was no longer fashionable to be associated with Harvey Weinstein.

In my opinion, given that MM most likely would have known Weinstein, given the fact that she went to his events at Soho house, befriended his wife, was in his movies, it seems very odd that MM didn't have more to say, as a 'feminist activist', who accepted awards from Gloria Steinem...

That said, a few strange little links happened after this date...

One was that only a year later, in 2019, eyebrows were raised when MM used Harvey Weinstein's defense team, after it became publicly alleged that she had bullied multiple staff members. Who advised her to make such a choice is unknown, although it is known that Markus Anderson has an ongoing role in advising her on some of her hiring choices.

In 2021 a strange, nasty little article appeared, perhaps nothing, but it was rather snarky, and related to a Private Eye that had met with Pulitzer prize winning journalist - Rowan Farrow, (who blew the lid on the Weinstein scandal). The private eye had been trailing Meghan Markle as well.

In my opinion, MM would definitely have known Weinstein, and met him, but in exactly what context remains a mystery...