Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were notably absent from the 95th Academy Awards ceremony on Sunday night in Los Angeles, raising eyebrows and prompting speculation.
According to celebrity PR specialist Carla Spate, their decision to skip the prestigious event was not surprising, as their attendance would have raised more questions than answers.
Spate emphasized that Harry and Meghan's absence at the Oscars was logical considering that their recent documentary did not receive any nominations, and neither of them is currently involved in acting projects.
Spate further explained that celebrities typically attend awards ceremonies like the Oscars for specific reasons such as nominations, networking opportunities, or projects to promote.
Since Harry and Meghan did not have any of these reasons to be present at the event, it was understandable why they chose not to attend.
Despite rumors that the couple was once invited to host an award at the 2022 Academy Awards, this notion was eventually dismissed.
The public reaction to Harry and Meghan's absence from the Oscars was mixed, with some social media users questioning why they would attend when Meghan is not actively working in the entertainment industry.
Others speculated that the couple may have avoided the event due to potential mockery or criticism, especially following their portrayal in popular culture shows like South Park and Saturday Night Live.
Public relations expert Matt Yanofsky warned that the couple might face ridicule at the Oscars, given the history of satire and commentary in shows like South Park.
He noted that by lampooning Harry and Meghan, these programs have opened the door for public scrutiny and opinions about the couple.
However, during this year's Oscars, host Jimmy Kimmel chose to steer clear of mocking the Sussexes and instead focused on criticizing Will Smith for his altercation with Chris Rock.
Despite the lack of direct criticism at the Oscars, there is a growing perception that Hollywood's interest in Harry and Meghan is waning.
Kinsey Schofield, host of the To Die For Daily podcast, expressed her belief that the couple may have expected more support from the entertainment industry.
She suggested that Harry and Meghan's behavior and public image might be affecting their standing in Hollywood, as evidenced by their absence from prominent events like Oprah's birthday celebration and the BAFTA tea party.
TV host Nick Ede commented on the couple's diminishing influence in Hollywood, noting that they are facing challenges in competing with other high-profile celebrities.
As speculations about Harry and Meghan's status in the entertainment world continue to circulate, the royal couple's absence from the Oscars has sparked discussions about their future interactions with the industry.
With King Charles set to deliver a historic statement during his upcoming Commonwealth Day service, the spotlight remains on the royal family and its evolving dynamics.
