In an unexpected turn of events, the friendship between renowned makeup artist Bobby Brown and Meghan Markle has taken a nosedive following a heated dispute over the plummeting sales of Brown’s cosmetics line, Jones Road.
This fallout comes on the heels of a significant public backlash that has caused Brown to distance herself from the Duchess of Sussex.
The drama kicked off when a photograph of Brown and Markle together at the G9 Ventures Summer Summit made its way across social media.
The image sparked outrage among fans of the royal family, leading to widespread calls for boycotts against Brown’s brand.
Attending the summit in the Hamptons, Markle was reportedly on a mission to gather insights for her own lifestyle brand, American Riviera Orchard.
Hosted by influential powerbroker Amy Griffin, the event featured Markle mingling with a slew of familiar faces, including Bobby Brown and designer Misha Nanoo.
A snapshot from the gathering showed a cheerful Markle posing alongside Brown and Nanoo.
However, as soon as the photo circulated online, it unleashed a torrent of negative feedback, prompting Brown to swiftly restrict comments on her social media posts within a day.
This incident underscores Markle’s contentious reputation, as royal enthusiasts reacted vehemently against Brown’s association with her.
One royal fan expressed their disbelief, questioning whether Brown was aware of the potential repercussions of being linked to Markle.
“PR firms must know about this impact by now,” they mused, suggesting that brands should steer clear of Markle-related content.
Another disappointed follower lamented their change of heart towards Brown’s brand, stating, “I’ve supported Bobby for years, but this association is a deal-breaker.” They voiced their disapproval of Markle’s values, which they felt contradicted their own beliefs, adding that there’s “no room for hate in my wallet.”
Comments continued to pour in, with one user declaring they viewed Brown less favorably for her decision to associate with Markle.
They suggested that this partnership might signal a desperate move by Brown’s brand, which has been experiencing challenges recently.
“Brands thrive on image.
Do I want Bobby Brown cosmetics with a side of Markle’s influence?
Absolutely not,” they asserted.
Bobby Brown, who launched her namesake cosmetics line in 1991 and sold it to Estee Lauder four years later, has faced hurdles since starting Jones Road in 2020.
Known for merging makeup with skincare, the brand has struggled to maintain its footing amid this latest controversy.
The professional ties between Brown and Markle date back to 2016 when they collaborated on a magazine cover shoot.
Their relationship was further solidified through a playful video where Brown demonstrated makeup application techniques while riding in an Uber with Markle.
In a show of support, Brown even commemorated Markle’s 39th birthday in 2018 with a heartfelt Instagram post, reminiscing about the first time Markle mentioned Prince Harry.
Back then, she referred to him simply as “a fellow she was dating from the UK.”
Despite their history and previous collaborations, the recent fallout has left an indelible mark on their relationship and has sent ripples through the beauty industry.