Former staff share insights into working for the Duchess amid accusations of strict management.
Meghan Markle’s former employees have spoken out about their experiences working for the Duchess of Sussex, describing her as a demanding boss, according to a bombshell Vanity Fair report.
Last September, anonymous sources alleged that Meghan was nicknamed a “dictator in high heels” by some staff, painting a picture of a challenging work environment. These claims were reinforced by reports of stringent nondisclosure agreements (NDAs) that employees were required to sign before joining her team.
While Meghan has openly stated that she “never had to sign anything that restricts [her] from talking,” the same freedom was reportedly not extended to her staff. One former Spotify employee revealed that the couple’s expectations were high but lacked clear direction, saying, “They wanted a big theme that would explain the world, but they had no ideas.”
The Sussexes’ deal with Spotify ended in June 2023 after just one season of the Archetypes podcast, with critics branding them as “talentless” and “grifters.” Meghan has since signed a deal with Lemonada Media to continue her creative ventures.
Despite the criticisms, some insiders noted that Meghan initially fostered a warm, friendly atmosphere. However, others described a stark shift when issues arose. A source claimed, “When something went wrong, even if it was because of her or Harry’s demands, she would become cold and withholding.”
One former employee added, “It was really, really, really awful... She’s constantly playing checkers—I’m not even going to say chess—but she’s very aware of where everybody is on her board. When you are not in, you are to be thrown to the wolves at any given moment.”
These revelations add to the scrutiny surrounding Meghan’s leadership style and raise questions about the impact of her management on her ventures’ outcomes.
