EXCLUSIVE Meghan Markle loses her chance to shine as LA Natural History Museum cancels glam gala as riots turn LA into a warzone

Daily Mail​

4 days ago

A woke gala set to honor Meghan Markle as a 'champion of underserved communities' has been scrapped because of the city's erupting ICE riots, DailyMail.com can exclusively reveal.
Guests had paid a minimum of $1,500 to see the Duchess of Sussex, 43, give a speech at this Saturday's Night of Wonder ball at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County.
But the star-studded event was dramatically scrapped today after street protests spiraled into violence, arson and a heavy National Guard presence. Chief Advancement Officer Paul Bessire emailed attendees to confirm that organizers had taken the 'difficult decision' to postpone the black-tie bash.
'Los Angeles is experiencing a challenging moment, and our responsibility is clear: to serve as a community resource focused on healing and unity, not celebration,' Bessire wrote.
'During challenging times, our role is to support our neighbors and demonstrate the values that make our city and County strong.
'Our Board of Trustees, and all event partners unanimously support this decision. We believe this is the right choice for our community and aligns with our shared commitment to serving all Angelenos.
'We will find a future moment to celebrate our work. Until then, we will channel our energy towards being welcoming spaces for learning and discovery for everyone who walks through our doors.'
The cancellation is sure to come as a disappointment for Meghan who was due to be recognized for her 'work to advance community wellbeing and expand opportunity — especially for underserved communities'.
The museum in Exposition Park had promised an enchanted garden setting with immersive exhibits, live music and a lavish banquet meal. The cream of LA's cultural elite including celebrities, artists and wealthy philanthropists were expected to attend.
'Imagine an enchanting night under a canopy of twinkling lights that reflects the breathtaking beauty of LA's coastal chaparral, oak forests and surrounding dramatic mountain ranges,' organizers said.
'As guests mingle amidst captivating installations showcasing the wonders of our local ecosystems, they will be inspired by thought-provoking presentations.
'With live music that echoes the rhythms of LA and interactive experiences connecting attendees to the natural world, the gala will ignite a sense of wonder and appreciation for the incredible local flora and fauna that surrounds us'.
The whimsical, fairy tale setting could not be further at odds with the scenes of fiery destruction that have plagued neighborhoods including Compton and Paramount for the better part of a week.
For four days and nights, stores were looted and cars torched as cops were bombarded with bricks, bottles and Molotov cocktails slung by masked, Mexican-flag wielding rioters.
Nearly 150 people have been arrested and five officers hurt in the violence which began as protests over ICE raids targeting undocumented immigrants. President Donald Trump deployed the National Guard and Marines to help quell the unrest despite the objections of liberal California Officials including Governor Gavin Newsom and LA Mayor Karen Bass.
DailyMail.com previously revealed that one of the Night Of Wonder organizers is Rick Genow, a powerful Hollywood lawyer and longtime ally of the Duchess.
The gala was to be held on Saturday from 6pm to 10pm in the museum's gardens
Genow was a key part of the elite Hollywood team Meghan secretly retained throughout her time in the British Royal Family who began poring over a host of multi-million dollar offers as soon as the Sussexes decided to emigrate – their so-called Mexit.
Meghan and Harry have been stepping up their public appearances in LA, attending Taylor Swift and Beyonce gigs and popping up at Lakers game.
They were seated in a $15,000-per-night private box with Genow, who was co-chair of Night of Wonder along with his wife, Mary Fulginiti-Genow.
Geologist Lori Bettison-Varga, President and Director of the Natural History Museums of Los Angeles County, hailed Meghan as a philanthropist and LA success story in a gushing press release announcing the gala.
'We are proud to honor Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, a native Angeleno, whose work to advance community wellbeing and expand opportunity — especially for underserved communities — aligns with our equity-focused approach to developing science literacy for the next generation,' she said.
Ticket holders were offered refunds or places at the rescheduled gala though a new date is yet to be announced.