Meghan Markle’s time hosting the Archetypes podcast series on Spotify was reportedly met with a less-than-warm reception from some employees. According to UK royal expert Neil Sean, who shared details with Fox News on January 23, the Duchess of Sussex allegedly kept to herself, only interacting with a select few higher-ranking officials at the company.
Sean claimed that due to her reportedly unapproachable behavior, Spotify staff members had secretly given Markle a nickname — “Eva Philips.” This name was inspired by Joan Crawford’s character in the 1955 film Queen Bee. The nickname, Sean explained, was used to signal Markle’s presence or indicate that she was in a difficult mood, serving as a subtle warning to the team.
The nickname wasn’t meant as an affectionate or playful one, according to Sean. Instead, it was reportedly an insult, with employees drawing a comparison between Markle’s behavior and Crawford’s portrayal of a tough, manipulative diva. Staffers working on the podcast were said to have found Markle difficult to deal with, citing mood swings and an overall demanding demeanor.
In particular, Sean shared that Markle would often interact only with the top-ranking employees, which created a sense of hierarchy in the workplace. When those higher-ranking officials were absent, the staff reportedly felt reminded of Markle’s royal status and position within the British royal family.
Sean also noted that while Markle’s presence initially captivated some at Spotify, the initial charm wore off as the Duchess became more demanding and tough to work with. “Clearly forgetting her struggling actress days,” Sean suggested, Markle’s behavior apparently became more challenging as the project went on.
The revelation offers an insight into Meghan Markle’s time at Spotify, where the Archetypes podcast project, though highly publicized, was short-lived. The behind-the-scenes tension reportedly stood in contrast to the glamorous image of the Duchess as a podcast host, shedding light on the challenges some employees faced during the project’s brief run.