Meghan Markle is facing allegations of plagiarism from author Mel Elliott over her Netflix project. Elliott claims that Markle’s animated series "Pearl," which was announced in July 2021 but later canceled, has striking similarities to her own book series titled "Pearl Power," published between 2014 and 2018.
Elliott expressed her disappointment, noting that as a feminist, she expected better from Markle, who advocates for women’s empowerment. She mentioned that she sent legal letters to Markle regarding the similarities, suggesting that while she cannot confirm if Markle’s team was inspired by her work, the overlaps are too significant to ignore.
The proposed "Pearl" series was meant to follow a 12-year-old girl who learns to embrace her power through the stories of influential women throughout history. However, Netflix decided to scrap the project, stating they were shifting focus away from animation.
Elliott, who had previously been in talks to adapt her "Pearl Power" series for television, revealed that her legal team reached out to Markle’s representatives in 2021, citing concerns over copyright infringement. She stated that she sent multiple letters to both Markle’s Archewell Productions and Netflix but received no response.
What disappointed Elliott the most was the lack of acknowledgment from Markle and her team. She expressed a desire to collaborate rather than to stop the project altogether. Elliott clarified that her intention was not to harm Markle’s work but to seek recognition for her own.
This incident adds to Markle’s recent challenges, including claims of copying in her lifestyle series "With Love, Meghan," which has received mixed reviews. The Duchess has also faced scrutiny regarding her business ventures, including her rebranded lifestyle brand, which has drawn criticism for potential similarities to other existing brands.
As the situation unfolds, it remains to be seen how Markle will respond to these allegations and whether Elliott will receive the recognition she seeks.
