Latest news with #ThomasJr.
The Star
17-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Star
Meghan Markle's dad, half-brother move to Philippines, live in Cebu apartment
MANILA (Philippine Daily Inquirer/ANN): Meghan Markle's estranged father, Thomas Markle Sr., and her half-brother, Thomas Markle Jr, have reportedly moved to the Philippines and been living in an apartment in Cebu. The 80-year-old mobility-impaired father and his son's relocation was first disclosed by an unidentified source to British tabloid newspaper The Mirror, which then also released photos of the two walking in Cebu. Meghan Markle's estranged father, Thomas Markle Sr., and her half-brother, Thomas Markle Jr, have reportedly moved to the Philippines and been living in an apartment in Cebu. The 80-year-old mobility-impaired father and his son's relocation was first disclosed by an unidentified source to British tabloid newspaper The Mirror, which then also released photos of the two walking in Cebu. The two are reportedly renting an apartment that has a monthly cost of £500, or over P37,000. 'There are only two types of weather in Cebu: hot and humid, and hot and humid and raining. It's brutal even for men half his age, but it's still sad to see him looking as though he's struggling,' the source was quoted as saying. 'Thomas and his son only recently moved into the property and they are still finding their feet in Cebu after the big move abroad, but they're here together and are firmly supporting each other.' Meghan, a former Hollywood actress, is now the Duchess of Sussex after marrying Prince Harry, son of Britain's King Charles III and the late Princess Diana, and younger brother to the heir apparent, Prince William. Prior to her wedding in 2018, Meghan became estranged from her father after he supposedly sold paparazzi photos. Their estrangement reportedly escalated into him not attending her wedding at the Windsor Castle in the United Kingdom, and the British and Hollywood media feasted on the controversy involving the new royal. Nor was the elder Markle ever reported to have visited when the Sussexes moved to California with their two children. A book and a documentary Thomas Jr. has been caring for his dad, a former Hollywood lighting director, who suffered from two heart attacks and a stroke in the past years. Thomas Sr. has reportedly been struggling with his mobility and has been using a walking stick to help himself. Thomas Jr. immediately confirmed this, even revealing that he spends some of his time in the country writing a book about the Duchess of Sussex's childhood. 'When my book is finished, ooh it'll be swooped up real quick [because] it's getting there. I'm working on it. It's coming out,' he told The Mirror. 'When the book gets read, the documentary will follow,' he added. It can be recalled that Thomas Jr. slammed Meghan for the supposed 'malarkey' stories in her series 'With Love, Meghan' released in March. In the series, the Duchess of Sussex claimed her family struggled financially and that she was a 'latchkey kid.' 'I'm not a greedy person, it's not about the money, it's about the principle,' Thomas Jr. stated. 'Of course it would be nice to have a nice little cushion from selling a book, sure.' 'Everybody wants the book. I now have dedicated time. It's not easy moving,' he added. Thomas Sr. had revealed last January his plans of relocating to Southeast Asia, saying he had traveled there when he was younger. He also clarified that he is not running away but is 'in search of a more positive life.' 'The people are so kind and welcoming, and they are respectful to older people,' he said. 'It is a place of culture and beauty. At 80 it is time to go somewhere where the people are lovely and I can enjoy a quieter, friendlier existence.' 'Every day I see something about Meghan. I wish her no ill will. My dream is that one day I could bring my whole family together, like a 'normal' family,' he said. - The Philippines Daily/Asia News Network
Yahoo
06-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Meghan Markle's Estranged Half Brother Criticizes Netflix Show: She ‘Didn't Cook Anything' Growing Up
Meghan Markle's estranged half brother, Thomas Markle Jr., has criticized her new Netflix docuseries, With Love, Meghan. In the series, which aired on Tuesday, March 4, Meghan, 43, cooks for celebrity guests and shares tips on baking, crafting, and hosting. The series' first episode opens with the Duchess of Sussex wearing a beekeeper's suit and harvesting honey from her personal apiary. 'The first five minutes, it was just so bland and generic,' Thomas Jr. said in an interview with TalkTV on Tuesday. Mindy Kaling Praises Meghan Markle's Cooking: 'Blew Me Out of the Water' 'It was so, like, blah… Nothing jumped out. It was just Meghan, talking in that bland, generic voice,' he added. Thomas Jr. said the Duchess of Sussex's claims that she grew up watching cooking shows and that she always enjoyed cooking 'wasn't the case.' 'I do have to hand it to Doria, Doria's a great cook,' Thomas said, referencing Meghan's mother, Doria Ragland. 'I don't get it, she didn't cook anything for anyone growing up,' he continued, once again referring to his half sibling. In an episode featuring actress Mindy Kailing, Meghan said she 'was a latchkey kid' who grew up 'with a lot of fast food and TV tray meals.' Was Meghan Markle's Netflix Show Actually Filmed in Her and Prince Harry's Montecito Home? However, Thomas claimed her statement isn't accurate: 'We weren't poor. She didn't have to rub those two nickels together at Sizzler's salad bar.' Thomas also addressed Meghan's decision to officially drop the last name 'Markle' on the show. In the same episode, the former actress corrected Kaling, who used her maiden name instead of Sussex. 'Samantha and I are both gonna change our last names to Sussex,' Thomas joked, referring to his sister, Samantha Markle. He went on to jokingly call himself 'the duke-in-law of Sussex.' Though Meghan is close with her mother, she has been estranged from her father Thomas Markle Sr.'s side of the family since her royal wedding to Prince Harry in 2018. In the years since, the Markle family has given multiple interviews where they have publicly criticized the duchess. In March 2024, a judge dismissed Samantha's defamation lawsuit against Meghan after she alleged that the duchess mischaracterized their relationship in her 2021 tell-all CBS interview and in her Netflix docuseries, Harry & Meghan. As for Meghan's father, Thomas Markle Sr., he has sustained a much lower profile after experiencing a stroke in May 2022. In the TalkTV interview, Thomas Jr. said his father 'leaves the door open for forgiveness.' 'He loves all his children, no matter what,' he said. 'Deep down inside, he still cares about Meghan… I'm sure he wishes her luck. That's what a father does. He's always left that door open for her, and she's always just slammed it in his face repeatedly,' Thomas Jr. continued. Representatives for the Duchess of Sussex declined to comment when contacted by Us Weekly.
Yahoo
06-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Meghan Markle's Half-Brother Rips Into The Duchess Over 'Malarkey Stories' In New Netflix Series
Meghan Markle's Netflix series has been under heavy scrutiny since its release, and her elder half-brother, Thomas Markle Jr., is one of her most vocal critics. In the series, the Duchess showcases her passion for cooking and talks about her humble childhood eating fast food and microwavable meals. However, Thomas Markle Jr. has dismissed his half-sister's comments, claiming Meghan Markle is misrepresenting her past with "malarkey stories." Meghan's half-brother recently criticized the stories she shared about her upbringing in her new Netflix series, "With Love, Meghan," which debuted on Tuesday. The royal described herself in the show as a "latchkey kid" and recalled a humble childhood filled with fast food and TV dinners. Reflecting on her younger years, Meghan said, "It feels like such a different time, but that was so normal with the microwavable kids meals." She shared that her go-to meals came from Pollo Loco, Taco Bell, and Jack In The Box, similar to past comments she made in 2021 about frequenting the $4.99 salad bar at Sizzler. However, in an interview with TalkTV, Thomas Jr. dismissed his half-sister's claims about her upbringing, accusing her of trying too hard to appear relatable. "That's just another one of the malarkey stories she sold to the royal family for sympathy," he said, per the New York Post. "We weren't poor. She didn't have to rub two nickels together at Sizzler's salad bar." The Duchess's half-brother also criticized her treatment of their father, saying, "The entire world knows how she treated her family, especially her father, who gave her everything. That's why nobody's buying it." Thomas Jr., who hasn't spoken to Meghan in over a decade, admitted he attempted to watch her Netflix show but quickly lost interest. "I realized there's something better I could be doing with my time," he said. "Everybody's going to watch the first episode, and it'll be the worst critically acclaimed episode of all time." "Then, five or six minutes into the second, they'll probably commit themselves to a psychiatric ward," he added. Thomas Jr. admitted that watching Meghan's Netflix series left him feeling "sorry and embarrassed for her" for the first time. However, he has no plans to let their father, Thomas Markle Sr., tune in, citing concerns for his health. "I didn't have enough heart medication for him to watch it," he said. "I didn't want him to kick the bucket, so I'd have to go refill the prescription before I let him watch it." Thomas Jr. also called out Meghan's claim that she expresses care by feeding those close to her, saying the Duchess "didn't cook anything for anybody ever growing up." "There was always that little look," he recalled. "The Meghan Markle death stare, like her viper jaw pitches up, and she's about to strike." Hollywood star Mindy Kaling appeared in the second episode of Meghan's Netflix show and joined her to prepare cucumber sandwiches for a children's party while chatting about childhood memories. When Meghan described herself as a "latchkey kid" who frequently enjoyed fast food and TV dinners, Kaling expressed surprise, saying, "I don't think anyone in the world knows that Meghan Markle has eaten Jack in the Box and loves it." Meghan, with a smile, then corrected the actress: "It's so funny you keep saying Meghan Markle; you know I'm Sussex now." The U.S.-based royal explained how significant it is for her to be able to share the Sussex surname with her children. She noted, "You have kids, and you go, 'No, I share my name with my children. I didn't know how meaningful that would be to me, but it just means so much to go; this is our family name, our little family name." In response, Kaling said, "Well, now I know, and I love it." Industry experts claim that the success of the eight-episode show will be a major defining factor for Meghan as it determines if she still has the "Markle sparkle" needed to be a powerful celebrity with influence. "You're only cold until you're hot again, and Hollywood is a town based on temperature, not talent," Doug Eldridge, a branding expert and the founder of Achilles PR, told Fox News. "If the show is a success, this could be the moment of truth." "If the show is a modest success, Meghan will return to relevancy in Tinseltown and the influencer opportunities will multiply," he explained. Eldridge, however, noted the difficulty of Meghan's new venture and the best way for the Duchess of Sussex to maintain relevancy. He said, "The problem with the influencer or reality television category is that it's often more fashion than style. Fashion changes with the season or trend. Style is enduring, personal, and doesn't fall victim to seasonal whims."
Yahoo
17-02-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
What are the Jacksonville Jaguars' biggest team needs this offseason?
>>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<< [DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks] Luckily, the team has a lot of draft capital. According to The Harvard Sports Analysis Collective's metrics, the Jaguars have the second most draft capital of any team, armed with 10 selections. Let's take a look at the Jaguars' team needs and what positions the Jaguars might target this offseason. Interior Offensive Line The Jaguars are anything if not consistent. Another year and another team need along the offensive line. The Jaguars' offensive line actually performed admirably in pass protection, allowing the fifth least pressure in the NFL at just 27.4%. While they might have handled business in pass-blocking, their run-blocking left something to be desired. The Jaguars finished 32nd in the NFL in yards before contact per attempt, just 0.9 yards per NextGenStats. Despite this, Jaguars RBs still managed to gain 3.3 yards after contact, in large part thanks to Tank Bisby. Liam Cown saw immediate success in Tampa in the run game. Hopefully, he can do the same in Jacksonville. First, he will have to find the heir to Brandon Scherff's right guard spot as the veteran is headed to free agency. Defensive Tackle This might just be the Jaguars' biggest need as fans witnessed 17 games of disappointing pass rushing in 2024. While Josh Hines-Allen and Travon Walker both placed Top-15 in pressures, according to NextGenStats, the defensive interior was sorely lacking. Pro Football Focus noted the Jaguars had the lowest interior pressure rate of any team. Even with one of the league's top pass-rushing tandems, the Jags still finished 30th in pressure % and sack %. There is hope for the defensive line in 2025. Arik Armstead is headed back inside after an interesting season outside on the edge and rookie Maason Smith really came on strong to end the 2024 season. Even so, I'd expect the Jaguars to really go all-in on targeting a pass-rushing interior defender this offseason. Wide Receiver While this need isn't as necessarily as drastic as some of the others on this list, the Jaguars do need some more support for both Trevor Lawrence and Brian Thomas Jr. With the return of Gabe Davis, Christian Kirk, and Evan Engram and the intrigue of Parker Washington and Brenton Strange, one might get the idea that the Jaguars should be in decent shape headed into 2025. That might not be the case, however, as Kirk and Engram might be victims of cap casualties. Quickly, it could become a much thinner group. Gabe Davis' introduction to Jacksonville didn't inspire much confidence either. While injuries certainly played a part, the Jaguars still struggled outside of Thomas Jr. as the WR room averaged just 3.3 yards after the catch. Even with Thomas Jr., the unit still only finished 29th in contested catch opportunities. Thomas Jr likely is the outside, deep threat, however, a crafty WR who specializes in the intermediate, middle-of-the-field area could take this passing attack to the next level in 2025. Cornerback The Jaguars' defense was as porous as our square, yellow friend who lives in a pineapple under the sea. It was as ugly as it's ever been in Jacksonville, finishing bottom of the league in just about every metric. At the forefront of the struggles were the pass-rush and secondary. We've discussed the pass-rush, now it's time for the secondary. First and foremost, I want to note a huge bright spot, that being rookie CB Jarrian Jones. As I noted in an article last week, Jones was one of just five cornerbacks to not allow a single touchdown in the 2024 season. Aside from Jones, it wasn't pretty. Tyson had an up-and-down season, while Ronald Darby and Montaric Brown largely struggled. In fact, the Jaguars allowed more yards (2,059) to targets from an outside alignment than any other team. The cornerback position is what many identify as the team's biggest need and rightfully so. The team hopes for a revival from Campbell and growth from Jones, however a second boundary defender is desperately needed in Jacksonville. [SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter] Click here to download the free Action News Jax news and weather apps, click here to download the Action News Jax Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Action News Jax live.
Yahoo
30-01-2025
- Yahoo
Murder suspect among 12 arrested during special operation in St. Paul
A man accused of murder was among the dozen suspects arrested in St. Paul on Tuesday during a local law enforcement operation targeting fentanyl trafficking and other serious crime. According to the St. Paul Police Department, four suspects were arrested in connection with the three-month "Operation Cold Front" investigation, which aims to combat drug-related crime. Fentanyl-related overdose deaths claimed 180 lives in Ramsey County in 2023, making it the county's leading cause of overdose deaths. The eight others arrested for other crimes during Tuesday's operation include 20-year-old Kastedell Larmarr Thomas Jr., of St. Paul, who is charged with murder in connection with the Oct. 14 shooting death of 42-year-old Nicholas Sletten, of Little Canada. According to the criminal complaint, Sletten drove the suspect and four others to Speedway that evening. After they left the gas station, Thomas Jr. and another man inside the vehicle allegedly produced firearms in an apparent robbery attempt. Thomas Jr. allegedly shot Sletten before he and the other passengers fled the vehicle, charges state. Sletten was found lying next to the vehicle at the intersection of Jackson Street and Wheelock Parkway shortly before 9:30 p.m. that night. He stopped breathing at the scene and was pronounced dead at the hospital. Tuesday's arrests were coordinated and carried out by the St. Paul Police Department's Narcotics, Gang, Criminal Investigations and Special Investigations units and the Ramsey County Violent Crimes Enforcement Team. In a statement Wednesday, St. Paul Police Chief Axel Henry thanked the units for their "dedication and determination" and said "violent crime will not be tolerated in our city."
