Canadian hockey star Michael Del Zotto has opened up about experiencing ‘The Meghan Effect’ – which involved him being followed by paparazzi after false reports that they were dating.
According to Del Zotto, he and Meghan Markle were spotted at Soho House in Toronto and questions started swirling.
At the time, nothing was made of it, because Meghan was married to Hollywood producer Trevor Engelson. But reporters were quick to assess Del Zotto as a potential former love interest when she struck up a bond with Prince Harry, reports Newsweek.
The NHL player was coming out of practice, and a reporter was waiting for him, saying: “I’m walking out. Sure enough this guy sprints over at me, in his accent, goes ‘did you have relations with Meghan Markle?;”
It wasn’t an isolated situation, the visits became a regular occurrence, like when fans see Meghan pictured with a new top or new sunglasses and rush to the retailer, which is refererd to as “The Meghan Effect.”
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Del Zotto said of the instance: “I’m like, ‘who the f*** is this guy? What’s this guy asking me?’”
He adds: “And sure enough in the background, there’s probably I don’t know like four cars in the background and there’s numerous cameras taking pictures and video of me, the paparazzi’s back there, asking what the f*** is going on right now?”
He continues: ”I started getting calls, like we’re friends, you know, I was friends with her through Rick.”
He says his mom started to receive phone calls, asking, “Hey did your son and Meghan Markle have a relationship?” which he found embarrassing.
Del Zotto ends with a piece of advice: “You got to be careful with who you’re friends with and what pictures you post out there because nothing ever happened but the paparazzi somehow found me.”
Harry and Meghan were just in Canada last month. Harry took part in the ceremonial dropping of the puck at the Vancouver Canucks vs. San Jose Sharks game.
He was also there to promote the Invictus Games, which will take place in Vancouver next year.
