Harry and Meghan’s Sundance Screening Sparks Online Clash Over ‘Empty Seats’

The Sundance Film Festival has always been a hub for cinematic innovation and storytelling, but this year, it became a battleground for fans and critics of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.

The couple’s documentary, “Cookie Queens,” which focuses on the Girl Scouts and their iconic cookie-selling tradition, has sparked a heated debate online regarding its screening attendance.

On Sunday morning, Harry and Meghan, accompanied by director Alysa Nameas, graced the red carpet at the Eckles Theater in Utah for the film’s premiere.

Meghan, a former Girl Scout herself, took the stage to express her excitement about the project and gratitude for the audience’s support.

“This film is probably the cutest at the festival,” she remarked, highlighting her personal connection to the subject matter.

However, reports soon emerged claiming that many seats in the theater remained empty during the screening.

While some attendees noted that the previous evening’s premiere of Olivia Wilde’s film “The Invite” had people turned away, images circulated online appeared to show significant gaps in the seating at the “Cookie Queens” screening.

Supporters of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, often referred to as the Sussex Squad, quickly jumped to their defense.

They dismissed the claims that the premiere had not sold out as a fabricated narrative aimed at undermining both the couple and their documentary, which was produced by Archwell Productions.

One audience member insisted it was a packed house, stating, “It was a packed house at 9:00 a.m. for a documentary in the biggest theater.”

Others shared screenshots from ticketing websites, asserting that there were no tickets available for the premiere or subsequent screenings.

Despite the claims of a full house, detractors posted images and videos from inside the venue, alleging that the theater was not at capacity.

Reports from the New York Post indicated that approximately 150 seats were empty when the film began, a number that reportedly decreased to around 60 as the screening started ten minutes late.

This discrepancy fueled further arguments online, with fans exchanging insults and evidence to support their respective positions.

Meghan, in her speech, expressed her heartfelt connection to the film, recalling her own experiences as a Girl Scout and how her mother, Doria Ragland, served as her troop leader.

She praised the values instilled during her time in the organization, emphasizing the importance of friendship, perseverance, and self-belief.

“I believe that the importance of friendship and perseverance is reflected in ‘Cookie Queens’ as these girls persevere in pursuing their passions,” she stated.

The documentary follows the journey of four Girl Scouts as they navigate the challenges of selling cookies, portraying not just the fun aspects of the tradition but also the pressures and expectations that come with it.

Alysa Nameas, the film’s director, articulated the vision behind the project, noting that it began with a desire to create a film that children would want to share with their friends.

Despite the mixed early reviews and the fact that “Cookie Queens” has yet to find a distributor, Meghan and Harry’s involvement in the project has been a topic of interest since it was first announced in December of the previous year.

Their roles as executive producers have added a layer of intrigue, especially given the couple’s ongoing efforts to carve out a new narrative for themselves in Hollywood.

As the online debate raged on, with fans passionately defending the couple and critics pointing to the empty seats, the situation highlighted the complexities of celebrity culture and the public’s fascination with the lives of Harry and Meghan.

While their supporters rallied to celebrate the film and its message, detractors continued to scrutinize their every move, revealing the ongoing challenges the couple faces as they navigate their new lives away from the royal spotlight.

In the end, the controversy surrounding the “Cookie Queens” screening serves as a reminder of the intense scrutiny that follows Harry and Meghan, as well as the polarized opinions that their presence generates.

Whether the documentary will find its place in the hearts of audiences beyond the festival remains to be seen, but for now, it has certainly ignited a lively discussion about fame, representation, and the power of storytelling.