Prince Harry and Meghan Markle: Spotify chief’s ‘grifters’ comment ‘tarnished’ image

The reputations of Meghan Markle and Prince Harry took a massive hit due to one damning comment, a royal expert says.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have “tarnished” their reputation, following their Spotify deal falling through, according to a royal author.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex were slammed as being “f****** grifters” by a well-known Spotify executive after their $30 million Archetypes podcast was axed.

The couple were dropped from the streaming giant in June following reports they did not meet “productivity requirements”.

Professionally, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have endured a difficult 12 months. Picture: AFP

According to The Sun, royal author Tom Bowers claimed the snub will affect future deals. “Of course they’ve lost their big Spotify contract – one of the big contracts that was clearly going to be their basis for fame,” Mr Bowers told Closer Magazine.

“The ‘grifters’ line has tarnished them for life.”

Bill Simmons, Head of Podcast Innovation and Monetisation at Spotify, slammed the Sussexes’ in his own podcast.

“I wish I had been involved in the ‘Meghan and Harry leave Spotify’ negotiation – ‘The F***ing Grifters,’” Simmons said.

Meghan Markle’s Archetypes podcast was canned by Spotify. Picture: Supplied

“That’s the podcast we should have launched with them. I have got to get drunk one night and tell the story of the Zoom I had with Harry to try and help him with a podcast idea.

“It’s one of my best stories … F*** them. The grifters.”

Spotify and the couple’s company Archewell released a joint statement claiming that the deal was ended by “mutual agreement”.

The beleaguered couple are said to be hoping for a fresh start this year, after backlash last year for their Netflix documentary and Prince Harry’s bombshell biography Spare.

Spotify executive Bill Simmons, pictured in 2014, labelled Prince Harry and Meghan Markle as “grifters”. Picture: Getty Images

However, royal expert Phil Dampier told The Sun that “redemption” is unlikely for the Sussexes.

It’s thought the couple may move from the exclusive – yet sleepy – enclave of Montecito to Los Angeles, to put themselves in closer proximity to Hollywood.

“Harry and Meghan think 2024 will be the year of redemption” – with Meghan apparently turning down offers of work “left, right and centre” and Harry also in “extremely high demand”, a source told US Weekly.

And Ms Markle is now represented by US powerhouse agency, WME, ahead of her long-planned relaunch in the New Year.

The Sussexes are looking towards a brighter 2024. Picture: Getty Images for the Invictus Games Foundation

The source added: “They’ve actually been shocked by how popular she is. Her team has never seen anything like it.”

They claim she is being approached about everything from film roles to multimillion-dollar endorsement deals with major brands.

Reports of an acting comeback came after the duchess appeared in a playful Instagram ad for a coffee company, a firm she holds shares in.

The cameo appearance sees the former Suits star doing multiple roles at coffee company Clevr Blends, including packing, working on the digital team, and on the operations team.

Meanwhile, the Suits cast – sans Markle – reunited to present an award at the Golden Globes on Sunday.

Suits star Gina Torres told Variety that the cast of the show (which has found a whole new audience on Netflix) didn’t touch base with the Duchess of Sussex about their Globes reunion because “we don’t have her number”. But “she’ll watch” and “be happy that we’re here,” Torres said of their former co-star.

The rest of the cast, though, was “all texting each other” before their big onstage reunion, and their “text thread is insane right now,” the actress shared.

– with The Sun

Originally published as Prince Harry and Meghan Markle: Spotify chief’s ‘grifters’ comment ‘tarnished’ image