Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, like so many of us, are at a turning point in their lives and careers. Fresh off of the end of their $20 million deal with Spotify—which ended last month after less than three years and only one piece of content, Meghan’s “Archetypes”—the two are apparently preparing for big moves and looking to tell their side of the story.
“They were basically fired by Spotify, which is embarrassing, but Harry and Meghan are now fighting back by telling their side of the story,” a source said, per OK. “Yes, they’ve made mistakes, but they have big plans for their next endeavor.”
As ever, the couple have many irons in the fire: Their ongoing Netflix deal, which produced the mega hit Harry & Meghan late last year and will produce Harry’s Heart of Invictus next month, as well as other rumored projects; their reportedly ongoing deal with Penguin Random House, which saw the success of Spare, Harry’s memoir, earlier this year; Meghan’s signing with powerhouse talent agency William Morris Endeavor (WME) and the deals that is sure to produce; and many other rumored deals and projects and undertakings. Perhaps their most lucrative—at least at this juncture—is still the Netflix deal, which, like Spotify, was also inked in 2020.
“Netflix was pleased to sign Harry and Meghan and is looking for some great ideas going forward,” an insider said. “But the remainder of the deal relies on them producing those good ideas. The deal’s continually under review which is normal for ones of this magnitude.”
In addition to the forthcoming Heart of Invictus, other content ideas include a Great Expectations-inspired show and a documentary about Africa helmed by Harry.
Though there is always room to right the ship, Hollywood insiders say that Harry and Meghan’s reputation has taken a hit. “Practically everyone in Hollywood is talking about how Harry and Meghan’s empire is crumbling,” a source said. OK reports that, as they move forward, Harry and Meghan are eager to pick up the pieces of their reputation and soldier on.
As they go forward professionally, The Daily Express reports that Meghan is more interested in the showbiz, celebrity side of things, while Harry is more interested in charitable, humanitarian work. “How long before Harry turns his back on the show business life, for which he is obviously ill-suited and seems entirely uncomfortable with?” asked journalist Alison Boshoff.
Boshoff said of the two “as she races towards bigger and more lucrative media ventures, her husband’s concerns are centered on the environment and mental health.”
It will no doubt be interesting to see what the couple, individually and collectively, do next.
