The pre-royal life of Meghan Markle, now the Duchess of Sussex, was not without its challenges, especially for those within her social circle. A close friend, Canadian hockey player Michael Del Zotto, recently opened up about his experiences with the paparazzi during Meghan's engagement to Prince Harry.
Del Zotto met Meghan through her "Suits" co-star and his friend, Rock Hoffman. At that time, Meghan was married to Trevor Engelson and was actively involved in filming the popular television show in Toronto. Del Zotto reminisced about his interactions with Meghan on the "Spittin Chiclets" podcast, recalling a time they had drinks together at Soho House in Toronto.
However, the dynamics shifted dramatically when Meghan's relationship with Prince Harry became public. The media frenzy intensified following their engagement announcement in November 2017, leading tabloids to dig deep into her past associations and relationships.
Del Zotto recounted the sudden and overwhelming attention from the British press, revealing that they even reached out to his mother, inquiring about a romantic relationship between him and Meghan. "I started getting calls, like we're friends, you know, I was friends with her through Rick. Sure enough, my mom's getting called," he said.
The situation escalated when Del Zotto was approached by a reporter after a practice session in Vancouver, bombarded with intrusive questions about his connection with Meghan. "I'm like, 'who the f***s this guy? What's this guy asking me?'" he shared. The encounter was not isolated, as he noticed multiple paparazzi capturing the moment.
Del Zotto's story mirrors that of other celebrities who found themselves entangled in the media storm surrounding Meghan Markle. Simon Rex, an actor who appeared with Meghan in an episode of the sitcom "Cuts," also faced propositions from tabloids. They offered him $70,000 to fabricate a story about a sexual relationship with her. Despite financial struggles at the time, Rex declined the offer, maintaining integrity. He later received a heartfelt thank-you letter from Meghan for his stand, which he has since framed as a reminder of their brief but impactful interaction.
These incidents highlight the intense scrutiny and invasion of privacy faced by those associated with Meghan Markle during her transition into royal life. Del Zotto's experience underscores the extent to which paparazzi and tabloids can intrude upon and misconstrue personal relationships, particularly when linked to high-profile figures like the British royals. As Meghan navigated her path from actress to Duchess, those in her orbit endured a share of the overwhelming media attention, offering a glimpse into the complexities and pressures of her life-changing journey.
