Prince Harry and Meghan Markle found themselves on shaky ground following their terminated Spotify podcast deal, once thought to be a secure $15 million windfall. The streaming giant's execs labeled the royal pair as "grifters," according to RadarOnline.com. The couple's gamble to leverage their regal stature into superstardom is showing signs of strain, with insiders suggesting the duo failed to put in the required effort.
Consequently, the duo's Netflix deal, estimated to be around $20 million, is under threat due to unsatisfactory performance, insiders claim. The Sussexes have turned their attention towards becoming fashion brand influencers on social media, but their attempts have thus far proved fruitless.
Their dismissal from Spotify was triggered by allegations that a producer interviewed guests for their podcast, "Archetypes," with Meghan's voice added in post-production to give the impression that she conducted the conversations.
In two and half years, only 12 podcast episodes were produced. Spotify exec Bill Simmons did not hold back his frustration, publicly labeling the couple, "The f------ grifters!"
The branding as "con men" or "scammers" has put a serious dent in the Sussexes' global ambitions and their pursuit of Hollywood A-list status, a palace source shared.
Following the Spotify fallout, rumors circulated that Meghan was on the brink of a $15 million deal to become the new face of Christian Dior. However, the French fashion house denied any such agreement.
"There is no truth to the claims," revealed a Dior insider. "Their team doesn't know how this story came about." This denial led to speculation that the rumor was a calculated move by Meghan and Harry to land a lucrative deal.
"They thought rehashing their woe-is-us victim story was their road to financial freedom but it's failed spectacularly. What do they have left?" added the palace insider.
The loss of the Spotify deal could set back the couple by a massive $10 million, according to industry insiders. They now face the challenge of maintaining their luxurious lifestyle, which includes their $14.5 million Montecito mansion, security expenses of $2 million annually, Meghan's extensive wardrobe and staffing costs, and their extravagant travel habits.
"There seems to be a general lack of interest in the Sussexes, and it seems Hollywood is catching on," the palace source said.
In a recent scathing criticism, Kelly Osbourne, daughter of Ozzy and Sharon Osbourne, criticized the Duke for his continuous "whining, whinging, complaining," calling Harry a "f------ t---" for his endless grievance narrative.
The palace insider concluded, "It seems Hollywood has gotten wise to the Sussexes," adding, "Frankly, it's about time."
