Who is Nick Collins? Meghan Markle parts ways from longtime agent who has been with her since 'Suits'
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry seem to be making a lot of major staffing decisions this week. In less than a week since the executive director of their Archewell Foundation, Catherine St. Laurent stepped down from her role, Meghan reportedly made another major move. The Duchess of Sussex reportedly parted ways from her longtime agent Nick Collins.
Collins has represented Meghan since her 'Suits' days and was also a very close confidante of both Harry and Meghan. He was also a part of the couple's 'dream team', and played a key role in helping the couple plan their 'Megxit'. But according to reports, Meghan and Collins parted on good terms, and he will continue to be her 'consultant'.
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Who is Nick Collins?
Nick Collins is a talent agent who has represented Meghan Markle for several years. He joined the Gersch Agency in 2005. He became the agency's partner in 2015, and was promoted to Co-Head of Talent in 2018.
According to DailyMail Collins' other clients include 'Chicago Fire' star Taylor Kinney, Emmy winners Courtney B. Vance and Eric McCormack, and 'This Is Us' star Mandy Moore. In 2017, when Meghan declared that she would be leaving Hollywood and the showbiz, Collins still stayed on as her agent. He was also a guest at the couple's royal wedding.
He was reportedly a "key advisor and independent voice" for the couple when they were planning on rebuilding their life in California, after leaving the UK, and the royal duties. A LA talent agency source told DailyMail.com it was a 'strange development' as Nick has been a 'loyal friend and confidante' to the Sussexes. The source added, "His (Nick) expertise and knowledge of business matters in Hollywood and contact list is astonishing. While on paper she was not accepting work offers as an actress, other work opportunities and roles did come in through Gersh. And with the upheaval and swift departure from England and business plan needed, many believe he played a key role in helping the Sussexes get the ball rolling in business. He was part of the '6'Dream Team.''
Why did Meghan Markle part ways with Nick Collins?
According to sources, Meghan may have removed Collins from his position as her agent, but she still retained him as a "consultant". Since she has no plans of taking up any acting roles, Collins won't have to negotiate any deals for her. So, she decided to relieve him from his role. Harry and Meghan are also keen on using their own production and media company for all projects. With this move, they will be saving 20% which they would have otherwise paid to an agent as commission. Meghan has retained the services of her entertainment lawyer Rick Genow.
Since moving to Los Angeles, Harry and Meghan shopped around and managed to bag an impressive $100 million Netflix deal, a multi-million dollar podcast with Spotify. With all these lucrative deals and offers on hand, the couple has made some major changes to their staff. The former royal couple roped in former Pinterest communications chief Christine Schirmer to handle their PR alongside their existing Hollywood PR firm Sunshine Sachs. Catherine St. Laurent, who was brought in as Chief of Staff for Archewell Foundation, has stepped down from her role in less than a year, and has taken on the role of a consultant who would offer the couple's non-profit "daily guidance and support". James Holt, the couple's media relations chief in the UK, will be taking over Catherine St. Laurent's position.
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