Meghan Markle has been left 'distraught' following the criticism she received from Spotify executive Bill Simmons.
The head of podcast innovation and monetisation at Spotify dubbed her and Prince Harry 'grifters' according to one inside source.
The criticism came after the couple's $20m deal with the company ended after Meghan's podcast 'Archetypes' only ever released 12 episodes reports the Express.
Following the end of their partnership with the audio streaming service the Sussexes are continuing to produce new content with Netflix.
However, the source added that the couple may need to rethink their approach as a joint brand if they want to continue monetising their content.
In a statement released last month, both Spotify and Archewell Audio, Harry and Meghan's production company, said they had mutually agreed to part ways, but there were soon concerns that the streaming giant had been let down by a lack of output from the estranged royals.
In a episode released on Spotify, the executive said: "I wish I had been involved in the 'Meghan and Harry leave Spotify' negotiation. The F***ing Grifters. That’s the podcast we should have launched with them."
In America, the term "grifters" is often used to describe someone who engages in petty swindling or low-level deception.
Meghan was less than impressed with a source telling Closer magazine: "Meghan is distraught over this Spotify snub and the fallout that has followed. It’s totally knocked her sideways.
"She can’t believe she’s been attacked so viciously and so publicly by one of their execs, and to be labelled 'grifters' is an utterly humiliating and gut-wrenching all-time low – it’s served as a brutal reality check that things really do need to change to save their popularity.
"Her team have warned her that there’s no future' with Harry and that she needs to start working on her individual projects rather than being seen as one half of 'Brand Sussex'.
"They feel that if Meghan does more on her own, she’ll have more opportunities to save her career. It will give them breathing room and restore confidence – or at least that’s the hope."
The couple are still producing new projects with Netflix following the huge success of their docu-series Harry & Meghan last year, although some claimed they had "ruffled feathers" with the platform's bosses.
The Duke and Duchess's long-awaited documentary Heart of Invictus is scheduled to be released on Netflix in August, following wounded and sick Armed Forces members as they compete to take part in Harry's beloved Invictus Games.
A new series called Bad Manners, a prequel to the Charles Dickens novel Great Expectations, focusing on the character Miss Havisham, is also thought to be in production with Harry and Meghan at the helm.
The couple are said to be "ignoring jealous critics" and looking to rebuild their own brands, with a source telling RadarOnline: "People can call them money hungry and even 'grifters'. Harry and Meghan think it's all just jealous and mean people flinging stones.
"Meghan's going to be the queen of Hollywood before long, and she and Harry will be raking in millions. To hell with the critics is their attitude."
Get the latest celebrity gossip and telly news sent straight to your inbox. Sign up to our daily Showbiz newsletter here.
READ NEXT:
- Prince Harry's touching question to Meghan hours after birth of Lilibet
- Meghan Markle's comment about Trooping the Colour was met by 'yawning silence'
Meghan Markle's friend breaks silence after Netflix series with sweet wedding snap
Prince Harry addresses 'sadistic' rumour that James Hewitt is his real father
Meghan Markle's subtle social media hints before relationship with Prince Harry went public
