Megan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, has made a return to her acting roots in a recent social media advertisement for American coffee brand Clever.
As a part-owner of the brand, Clever markets itself as offering superpowered lattes that provide energy, stress relief, and aid in sleep.
The ad, fronted by Clever Founder Hannah Mendoza, showcases Megan working at the Clever offices, diligently completing tasks on the computer, packing boxes, and running errands.
However, not everyone was impressed with Megan’s cameo appearance.
Some social media users labeled it as cringy, with one user jokingly stating that it was the most work Megan had done all year.
Others went further, describing it as pathetic, considering that Megan had hired one of the biggest agents in Hollywood but could only manage a bit part in an Instagram ad.
Furthermore, some users noted the irony of Megan’s transition from the palace to endorsing products like Clever.
It was also pointed out that Oprah Winfrey, who famously conducted the first sit-down interview with Megan and Harry after their departure from the royal family, has also begun promoting Clever as one of her favorite things.
Despite the criticism, Megan and Harry’s move to the US has proven to be financially rewarding.
Through partnerships with Netflix, Spotify, and the proceeds from Harry’s memoir, the couple has reportedly earned a staggering $100 million.
Megan’s investment in Clever has been praised by Mendoza, who considers her the company’s first investor, advisor, and biggest advocate.
UK newspapers have even reported that Megan could now command up to $45,000 for a single social media endorsement.
However, there is more drama unfolding.
Clever’s products are now hitting the shelves at Target in the United States.
While Megan’s appearance in the ad may have garnered attention, it is unlikely to be the sole reason for Clever’s sales boost.
Advertisers are not easily fooled.
In fact, back in 2016, Clever even opened a pop-up adaptogenic coffee bar, showcasing their products and building anticipation for their debut.
Megan is just one of many celebrities aligning themselves with a coffee brand.
Interestingly, Clever Blends is selling its mega lattes at Target for a surprisingly low price of $11.99 each, compared to the $28 listed on their website for most products.
This raises questions about their pricing strategy and how they plan to generate profits with such deals.
Now, let’s delve into the brewing drama.
Rumors are circulating that Clever Blends has experienced a significant sales decline of 30% since Megan’s commercial ad aired.
CEO Hannah Mendoza is reportedly furious with Megan herself, blaming her advertising for damaging the brand.
Mendoza has even demanded $300,000 in compensation.
Adding fuel to the fire, insiders claim that Megan is ready to step back and let Harry take the lead in their next business venture.
It appears that she has been shouldering the majority of the networking responsibilities and is feeling overwhelmed as many of her deals have fallen through.
Perhaps it’s time for Prince Charming to step up.