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Meghan Markle Steals the Spotlight at Variety’s Power of Women Event
At Variety's Power of Women event, Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, took center stage as she continuously posed for the cameras, overshadowing A-list guests.
The event, held at Citizen News in Los Angeles on Thursday night, honored the achievements of women in entertainment and attracted a constellation of stars.
This year's honorees included Carey Mulligan, Fantasia Barrino, Lily Gladstone, and Billie Eilish, who performed her hit song “What Was I Made For” alongside her brother, Phineas O'Connell.
Margot Robbie, Tom Ackerley, and Josie McNamara, the co-founders of Lucky Chap, were set to receive the Producer of the Year award, while Emily Blunt was to be honored with the Power of Women Alumni Award, presented by premiere partner Wells Fargo.
The event also featured notable introductions from Leonardo DiCaprio, Dua Lipa, Emerald Fennell, Ariana Greenblatt, and Oprah Winfrey, who introduced various honorees.
Lifetime presented the Variety Power of Women event, which saw a host of other celebrities grace the red carpet, including Greta Lee, Riley Keough, Sophia Carson, Emma Mears, Diane Warren, Addison Rae, Madison Bailey, Tia Mori, and many more.
According to sources in Hollywood, Meghan Markle's attendance at the event was secured through WME's demand, orchestrated by Oprah Winfrey.
While Meghan has been away from the entertainment scene for some time, questions arise as to why she was invited to such a star-studded ceremony celebrating women in entertainment.
It turns out Meghan purchased a seat for the event, although many attendees may not have recognized some of the lesser-known women in the industry.
During the gala, Meghan Markle received noticeably different treatment.
She was seemingly ignored and even pushed from the prime photography spot by other celebrities.
A video posted by Variety captured the moment when Meghan, wearing a camel-off-the-shoulder dress and sporting a slicked bun, kept posing for the cameras with a beaming smile, unintentionally obstructing the view for others.
At one point, a guest extended their hand, seemingly trying to guide her away from the cameras.
Observers noted that Meghan appeared fully engrossed in seizing the limelight from other famous attendees.
This led to an awkward moment as a guest attempted to physically move her from the stage.
While many guests at the gala took photos together, Meghan Markle found herself without any companions for snapshots, except for Janet Yang, the past president and Pana chairman of Universal Studio Group.
They shared a table, and Meghan approached them to take a photo together.
In addition to her personal photographer, Meghan made sure that the clearest photos would be sold to the media.
Videos from the event depict Meghan's repeated posing, turning, giggling, and grinning enthusiastically for the paparazzi.
Her evident delight at being photographed at the event harked back to her days in the entertainment industry before her royal marriage.
Meghan was clearly relishing her time in the spotlight, appearing every bit the eager subject of paparazzi attention.