Since its airing in mid-February, Meghan, once a seemingly ubiquitous and unstoppable cultural phenomenon, has essentially vanished from the public eye.
Her appearances have been scarce, with only one formal outing at an award show that ended in a bizarre paparazzi car chase incident. Additionally, she has refrained from granting any interviews. Furthermore, the media empire of Meghan and Harry appears to be crumbling.
Spotify has terminated their £15.6 million podcast deal, and senior executive Bill Simmons has labeled them as "grifters." Reports suggest that Netflix, tired of their antics, might not renew their £80 million deal signed back in 2020. According to The Sun, an anonymous insider claims that Meghan has been fully exhausted, and the lemon has been squeezed dry.
Personally, I found the South Park episode to be a stroke of genius. The worldwide privacy tour couldn't have been portrayed any better. When I first watched it in February, I anticipated that Meghan Markle would need considerable time to recover, especially in a place like California, where image is everything to those residing there.
Towards the end of the episode, there's a poignant moment where the character representing Prince Harry breaks away from a session with a brand advisor, speaking passionately from the heart. He questions whether they really need to be a brand, emphasizing that if they genuinely desire it, they can escape the trappings of fame.
No more magazines or Netflix shows, just a normal life. Megan, portrayed as the Instagram-loving, image-obsessed wife, remains silent, devoid of any response or expression. Undeterred, he continues, asserting that they can be the genuine people they aspired to be, free from concerns about appearance or the projected image. What matters is what lies within.
As the character receives no reply, he pulls back Megan's head, as if her jaw is hinged, only to find emptiness inside. It's as if Megan is vacant, devoid of substance, existing only on the superficial level of image, in magazines and on TV shows. It surely must have stung.
In the past, they seemed impervious to criticism, even when walking away from the royal family. They dismissed commentators and media personalities, particularly in the UK, who voiced their disapproval—people like Piers Morgan and Jeremy Clarkson, who were deemed uncool. However, they were suddenly lambasted by the coolest kids in Hollywood, the widely adored creators of South Park, Trey Parker and Matt Stone. Did this impact their marketability? Well, I'll leave that judgment to you.
In 2021, after arriving in the US to embark on their new lives, Megan and Harry, thanks to the glamour bestowed upon them by their royal and victim status, were celebrated by the highest echelons of American society. One unforgettable moment was the text message Megan received from Beyoncé the day after the Oprah Winfrey interview aired. Can you imagine? She received this message while being filmed for their Netflix docu-series.
Megan's reaction was one of excitement and disbelief, exclaiming, "I still can't believe she knows who I am." She went on to share with Harry that Beyoncé wants her to feel safe and protected, admires her bravery and vulnerability, and believes she was chosen to break generational curses that require healing.
Oh, my goodness! Harry's response was simply, "Well put." Now let's contrast that.
According to comedian Tim Dylan, who shared his account in late May of this year, he attended a Hollywood party where certain celebrities were amusing themselves by passing around text messages they had received from Meghan. He described them as "hucksters" and observed that their constant pursuit of celebrity connections resembled moths drawn to a flame.
They were like low-grade reality stars desperate to attach themselves to anything. At the party, they showed Dylan texts from Meghan, where she was apparently begging people to hang out with her. He found it sad that her attempts seemed futile, and they all rolled their eyes and laughed about it.
Many individuals at the party, who initially engaged with her, eventually grew tired of her constant messaging. While they acknowledged her title as "The Duchess," they had reached their limit. It's difficult not to feel a sense of sympathy for Meghan because it appears to be the end of the road for her reputation. Initially, she infuriated many people in the UK with her behavior, but she left in search of better understanding and freedom in the United States. However, history seems to be repeating itself, and she is now openly ridiculed for what is perceived as a scheme to monetize and exploit the supposed hardships of royal privilege for social advancement.
While Harry receives somewhat lighter criticism, it is widely believed that he is easily influenced and lacks intelligence, making Meghan the manipulative Lady Macbeth in this narrative. Perhaps there is another path to successful rebranding, as Hollywood specializes in such transformations. Recently, Meghan signed with talent agency WME, and if anyone can help her turn things around, they might be the ones.
Maybe it starts with classy brand endorsements. There is talk of a potential deal with Dior, although its chances of success seem dubious. Another approach could involve a period of silence and dedicated work for unglamorous yet worthy causes. Ironically, this is precisely what is expected of a member of the royal family. Although it may seem mundane, it is less susceptible to mockery.
However, does anyone truly believe that Meghan will still pursue a luxury brand deal after her podcast agreement with Spotify fell apart? Despite previous failures, she relentlessly continues her efforts. The only difference now is the involvement of another management company, and the announcements serve as a deflection to maintain her perceived status. She has had connections with various products, such as candles, and her photo ops at events often highlight the clothing she wears, emphasizing those associations.
Let's not forget the amount of money they were able to generate and the accounts it ended up in. Remember the drink Oprah helped promote? It's interesting to think about all the messages they sent from their rooms, essentially serving as big QVC sales pitches. However, those products didn't actually sell. It's no wonder they don't do them anymore. There are several reasons we can consider.
Firstly, the initial version of their website sold products. Before they left the UK, Meghan had collaborated with Kaylee, the marketing firm she used for The Tig. They proudly showcased their work on their websites and Meghan and Harry announced all the deals they were signing. Yet, if we recall the headlines, they were constantly facing rejection.
Whether it was the candles, the drinks, or the other items they endorsed, nothing seemed to work for them as influencers. Their track record is far from impressive. Let's not forget their after-dinner speeches, which often came across as toxic. This type of negativity does not bode well for companies. As we witnessed with Bud Light, associating with the wrong influencer can spell disaster.
Moreover, both Meghan and Harry consistently appear disheveled, as if they just rolled out of bed. Their smiles often come off as forced or they simply seem angry. It's difficult to imagine anyone wanting to purchase a lifestyle product from them.
To me, they resemble shady dealers from a back alley. Meghan might need to start saving her money because there doesn't seem to be any future income coming her way, aside from a potential significant divorce settlement.
