In an unexpected twist, the friendship between makeup mogul Bobby Brown and former royal Meghan Markle has taken a nosedive.
This rift follows a fiery exchange concerning the recent struggles of Brown’s cosmetics brand, Jones Road.
The renowned makeup artist has opted to distance herself from Markle after facing a wave of public disapproval.
The drama ignited when a photo of Brown and Markle together at the G9 Ventures Summer Summit made its rounds on social media.
This seemingly innocent snapshot led to an avalanche of calls for boycotts against Brown’s cosmetics line.
Attending the summit in the Hamptons, Markle was reportedly on the lookout for insights to launch her new lifestyle brand, American Riviera Orchard.
Hosted by influential figure Amy Griffin, the event saw Markle mingling with close friends, including Brown and designer Misha Nonoo.
An image captured at this high-profile gathering showed Markle beaming alongside Brown and Nonoo.
However, the moment quickly turned sour as the photo’s circulation unleashed a torrent of backlash.
Within just 24 hours, Brown was compelled to restrict comments on her social media posts due to the negative responses flooding in.
This incident underscores Markle’s divisive reputation, with royal enthusiasts demanding a boycott of Brown’s brand because of her association with the Duchess.
One royal fan expressed their disbelief, questioning whether Brown was aware of Markle’s controversial status before sharing the photo.
They suggested that PR firms should be advising clients to steer clear of any content featuring Markle, given the potential fallout.
The fan added that they had been a loyal supporter of Brown’s products for years but could no longer endorse them after this incident, stating, “There’s no room for hate in my wallet.”
Another commenter echoed similar sentiments, expressing disappointment in Brown for her association with Markle.
They perceived it as a sign of desperation, stating that brands are all about appearances and questioning whether they wanted to buy Bobby Brown cosmetics with a side of Markle’s influence.
The backlash has clearly impacted perceptions of Brown’s brand, which has been a staple in the beauty industry since its inception.
Bobby Brown launched her namesake cosmetics line in 1991 and sold it to Estee Lauder four years later.
She remained with the brand until 2016, eventually founding Jones Road in 2020.
Known for seamlessly blending makeup with skincare, Jones Road has faced its share of challenges, especially amid this latest controversy.
The professional relationship between Brown and Markle dates back several years.
They first collaborated in 2016 during a photo shoot for a magazine cover, which included a memorable video where Brown taught Markle makeup application techniques during a ride in an Uber.
Their camaraderie continued, with Brown celebrating Markle’s 39th birthday on Instagram in 2018, reminiscing about the early days of her romance with Prince Harry.
Despite their history of working together, the recent fallout has left a profound impact on both their personal connection and the broader beauty landscape.
As public sentiment continues to sway, it remains to be seen how this altercation will affect the future of Brown’s brand and Markle’s entrepreneurial aspirations.
This incident serves as a reminder of the complex interplay between celebrity, branding, and public perception.