A royal beef with the Sussexes?
Misinformation?
Calls to Spotify to drop Joe Rogan's podcast?
Here's what's really happening with the Joe Rogan and Meghan Markle controversy.
Joe Rogan is constantly finding himself in the headlines, and it's rarely for positive reasons.
Recently, a plethora of music artists have asked Spotify to pull their music from the
streaming service if they keep Rogan's podcast, "The Joe Rogan Experience," available for streaming.
The "Fear Factor" host turned podcaster is to blame for artists like Neil Young, Joni
Mitchell, and Crosby, Stills & Nash pulling their music from the platform.
Even Mary Trump, the niece of Former President Donald Trump, has removed her podcast from Spotify.
According to NBC News, these artists do not want their music to be available on the same
platform that allows Rogan to spill misinformation that could potentially harm those who are
sick with COVID-19.
While Rogan has recently spoken out, saying he was not intentionally trying to spread
misinformation, the damage has already been done for those who believe his podcast should
be pulled from Spotify.
Now, Rogan has found himself in the headlines again, and this time, it's his comments aimed
at the Duchess of Sussex that have people talking.
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry have revealed that they agree that Joe Rogan should be pulled
from Spotify.
The couple's statement mentions that they have had concerns about COVID-19 misinformation
since April 2021.
Meghan and Harry have a podcast producing deal with the streaming platform, and they
claim that their company Archewell has made strides to work on eliminating misinformation.
According to Vanity Fair, the couple signed a reported $25 million deal with Spotify in
December 2020.
As part of this multi-year contract, Meghan and Harry released a holiday special that
same month.
A series was intended to follow in 2021, but for some reason, the project did not happen,
perhaps due to the couple's misinformation concerns.
Some people, however, believe Meghan and Harry could have taken a more active approach.
According to reports, some Twitter users have suggested that the couple should have produced
podcasts during 2021 that directly combated the disinformation, by providing scientifically-verified
facts about the COVID-19 vaccine.
Unfortunately, it would take a lot of content from Meghan and Harry to compete with Joe
Rogan.
In fact, Spotify CEO Daniel Ek told NBC News that Rogan is the number one podcast in over
90 markets.
As part of his reported $100 million dollar Spotify deal, Rogan has produced a tremendous
amount of content to date, and the platform has reportedly come to depend on this volume
of material.
Despite their current lack of content on Spotify, Meghan and Harry are apparently looking to
the streaming service to make some positive changes.
As an Archewell spokesperson wrote in an official statement,
"Since the inception of Archewell, we have worked to address the real-time global misinformation crisis.
[...] We have continued to express our concerns to Spotify to ensure changes to its platform
are made to help address this public health crisis."
Spotify has reportedly begun a talent search for producers to work directly with Archewell
on a contract basis.
The proposed show is intended to spotlight high-profile women.
Per Vanity Fair, the job's ad reads,
"The ideal candidate has experience working with high-profile talent, and an interest
in the intersection of social activism and popular culture."
However, the Sussexes wanting Rogan's podcast pulled from Spotify isn't the only issue between
them and the host.
Recently, comments Rogan made on his podcast about the royal pair have resurfaced.
According to the Daily Mail, these clips include comments from Rogan where he mimics the queen.
"Has Prince Harry left the throne?"
And Rogan's comments didn't stop there.
"She's going to turn him into a Kardashian."
He continued to bash the monarch by saying,
"Imagine being a poor person and you find out that the queen — who literally does
nothing — is making 100 million dollars in a year."
Despite Rogan's large following, Meghan and Harry have a powerful voice.
The couple's stance against Rogan has already generated a positive response.
Epidemiologist Katrine Wallace took to Twitter to thank the couple for speaking out and showing
support to the scientific community.
Dr. Wallace was also part of a group of 270 medical professionals and scientists who voiced
their concerns about Rogan in a letter to Spotify.
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