2023 proved to be a challenging year for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle as they found themselves on The Hollywood Reporter's list of biggest Tinsel Town losers. This designation by the industry bible came after a series of public relations setbacks for the royal couple, highlighting the difficulties of their transition from royal duties to Hollywood celebrities.
The Hollywood Reporter, reflecting on the year, observed that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's move away from their royal roles led to a series of controversial media projects. They noted, "The Harry and Meghan brand swelled into a sanctimonious bubble just begging to be popped - and South Park was the pin." This refers to the couple's portrayal in a 'South Park' episode titled 'World-Wide Privacy Tour', which satirically criticized their claims of desiring privacy while continuously courting public attention.
The couple's foray into the media world included a Netflix documentary and Prince Harry's autobiography 'Spare', which the publication described as 'whiny'. Their podcast, 'Archetypes', faced a blow when Spotify dropped it after just one season, with Bill Simmons, Spotify's head of podcast innovation and monetization, reportedly labeling the couple 'grifters'.
The Hollywood Reporter's summary also referenced a "near catastrophic car chase" with NYC paparazzi involving the couple, which added to the negative press. The incident became a sensation, leading to public scrutiny and criticism from the NYPD and New York City's mayor.
Meghan Markle's collaboration with author Omid Scobie on his book 'Endgame' further fueled controversy, especially with the naming of King Charles III and Catherine, Princess of Wales, as the 'royal racists' from the 2021 Oprah Winfrey interview due to a translation error. This move strained her public image, with a source stating, "Whether or not Meghan and Harry were the sources of these (attacks), people will simply assume they were because of their past connections with Mr. Scobie."
Despite these setbacks, there is still a sense of cautious optimism about Meghan's potential in Hollywood. Culture commentator Nick Ede expressed, "Meghan, in the right hands, is a superpower - the world's most famous woman - and on paper, she could make millions for herself and for whoever represents her. But she's proving to be too hot to handle."
Their inclusion in the losers list by The Hollywood Reporter puts them alongside other notable figures who faced challenges in 2023, such as Elon Musk and his management of X, as well as Disney under Bob Iger's leadership.
In contrast, the publication recognized several 'winners' of the year, including Taylor Swift, Christopher Nolan, and 'Silver Foxes' like Patrick Dempsey. This juxtaposition of triumphs and failures in the entertainment industry underscores the volatile nature of public perception and the challenges of maintaining a favorable image in the ever-changing landscape of Hollywood and beyond.
