Last week, Audible's spokesperson told Page Six that the reports were baseless and they had not engaged in any negotiations with Markle. An insider had previously hinted to Closer UK that the Audible opportunity held even more promise than Markle's $29 million contract with the podcast giant, Spotify, which was terminated in June.
Rumors suggested that this new contract could potentially lead to a substantial payout, surpassing even Spotify's significant investment. Markle was reportedly excited about the prospect of being associated with notable figures like Michelle and Barack Obama, who had joined Audible last year.
Despite the appearance of confidence, the reality is that Markle had been in a challenging position since losing the Spotify deal, a major setback. She and her husband, Prince Harry, had parted ways with Spotify amidst controversy, shortly after signing with the audio company in late 2020, following their exit from royal life.
While Markle produced a single 12-episode podcast series titled "Archetypes," both she and Harry had stated that their departure from Spotify was a mutual decision. However, the negative attention surrounding Markle's podcast debut persisted. Spotify executive Bill Simmons even referred to them as "effing grifters" on his podcast, recounting a Zoom meeting he had with Prince Harry to discuss podcast ideas.
Despite the challenges Markle has faced, an insider disclosed that she is eager to embark on a new chapter with a fresh contract but is apprehensive about the immense pressure to succeed. The pressure has been taking a toll on her sleep, but she recognizes that the stakes will only get higher if she secures this deal. Hollywood power brokers are keenly aware of the Sussexes' prior missteps with the Spotify deal, and there are concerns that being dropped twice would irreparably damage their brand, eroding trust in their ability to deliver quality content.
This development follows Megan Markle's signing with the prominent Hollywood agency WME in April, raising anticipation among royal watchers for her first major deal to materialize from this partnership. While there have been ongoing rumors about Markle's impending career revival, including reports of a deal with a French fashion house and a social media relaunch, nothing substantial has come to fruition thus far. It appears that brands are actively distancing themselves from Markle, possibly to her detriment. In light of these challenges, it's becoming increasingly important for her to rebuild her reputation and credibility, especially in the world of entertainment and media.
