Ari Emanuel says he chose to step back as Meghan Markle's personal agent

Ari Emanuel says stepping back as Meghan Markle's personal agent was his decision and was "nothing about her."

He made the remark to broadcaster Megyn Kelly. Their conversation on The Megyn Kelly Show took place on 9 October, with details reported on 14 October. Hello! Magazine

Emanuel said he had "a lot on my plate." He pointed to his job running TKO, the company he leads, alongside work for his other clients and plans to start a new company. His words were blunt. The issue, he said, was focus.

Markle remains with WME, the Hollywood talent agency she signed with in 2023. Emanuel no longer handles her account himself. He said other agents at the agency continue to represent her.

He said it was better to let those agents deal with her day-to-day needs and execute against them. That distinction matters in Hollywood. A big agency can keep a client on its books while the day-to-day contact moves from one named agent to another. Yahoo Entertainment

Emanuel also spoke warmly about Markle's work. He said she is "finding her voice" and that he is happy for her. He added that he believes she is "getting booked" for "reality stuff and TV stuff."

The interview was released as Episode 1415, titled "The Mystery of Talarico's DISAPPEARANCE, and Ari Emanuel on Secrets of Hollywood, the Value of "Rage," and Meghan Markle". A short clip was posted to the show's official TikTok account on 10 October under the title "Why Ari Emanuel Stopped Being Meghan Markle's Agent".

Kelly had previously offered her own commentary on Emanuel's work for Markle. In earlier remarks, she suggested he had been trying to help rebuild her public image by getting Suits, the legal drama in which Markle starred, replayed on Netflix.

For viewers keeping track, this means a change of contact rather than a clean break. Emanuel is off the account. WME is still the agency.