Meghan Markle is reportedly grappling with significant challenges in rehabilitating her public persona following serious allegations made by former aides. The Duchess of Sussex recently saw her Spotify podcast 'Archetypes' come to an abrupt halt after just 12 episodes, as the streaming giant decided to terminate Harry and Meghan's contract.
An insider described Meghan's leadership style as 'really, really, really awful,' labeling the working environment as 'painful.' Some former employees have allegedly required 'long-term therapy' after leaving their positions.
Media expert Michael Levine commented on Meghan's difficulties, stating, 'Meghan Markle's deep struggle following the Vanity Fair exposé highlights the immense pressure of life in the public eye.' He emphasized that navigating fame demands skill and resilience, particularly as the Sussexes transition from royal duties to private business ventures, which have been fraught with challenges.
Levine noted the importance of narrative control for maintaining a positive public image and suggested that the scrutiny Meghan faces could be a potential 'make or break' moment for her career. A source also indicated that Meghan's unpredictable nature might have serious repercussions for those who work with her.
According to an unnamed source who spoke to Vanity Fair, Meghan's strategy is calculated: 'She's constantly playing checkers - I'm not even going to say chess - but she's just very aware of where everybody is on her board. And when you are not in, you are to be thrown to the wolves at any given moment.'
Despite these claims, Meghan has consistently denied accusations of bullying her staff, labeling them as part of a 'calculated smear campaign.' Several loyal former employees have come forward to defend her.
In 2023, Meghan and Harry concluded their collaboration on the Archetypes podcast, with both parties acknowledging the end of their partnership with Spotify. They described the conclusion as 'mutual' and expressed pride in the series they created.
Following their departure from Spotify, Meghan secured a new deal with Lemonada for what has been described as a 'dynamic new podcast.' This agreement was announced in February 2023, but details regarding Meghan's upcoming project remain closely guarded.