Inside Prince Harry and Meghan Markle ‘separate lives’ rumours from solo events to pal’s shutdown
Mirror
It came after Harry attended a charity event for first responders held by Hollywood actor Kevin Costner without Meghan, who was reportedly sick and was unable to attend – several weeks after their joint trip to Colombia. The apparent pursuit of separate careers has also seen rumours swirl about their private life with one report alleging Harry spent the night of his 40th birthday with pals on a hiking holiday instead of his wife.
However, a source close to the couple told The Sun : “It is normal for couples to not do everything together” – and said it was Meghan who arranged the trip for her husband. But even Harry and Meghan’s local newspaper, t he Montecito Journal picked up on the gossip surrounding the couple about their “increasingly separate lives”
However, experts have explained why the couple appear to be on separate paths – especially when it comes to their careers. PR expert Mark Borkowski told The Telegraph that the Sussexes’ “separation of work” has been ongoing for a while now, especially as Meghan works on her new American Riviera Orchard brand.
And he believes the reason behind their solo appearances is because their “star power” as a couple that they believed they might have had when they dramatically quit their royal roles “didn’t work”. He explained: “They had to change the narrative. They need a venture that deflects from the failures.
“The charity aspect impresses upon everybody that he [Harry] does have value beyond the controversial stuff. It has the effect of separating them from the bad press and the failed content ideas. The punters still have time for Harry.”
https://www.mirror.co.uk/3am/us-celebrity-news/inside-prince-harry-meghan-markle-33968433
I work with celebrities. After Liam Payne’s death, can’t we treat them as humans and not gods?
Guardian
As a showbiz publicist, I know about the Faustian pact between famous people and the public. Stars think they understand it, but they really don’t.
As the worldwide tributes continue, the tragic death of Liam Payne at the cruel age of just 31 has shaken the foundations of how we perceive celebrity and fame. As a publicist and strategist who has worked with many famous people, I know something about this. They are just like us – but they are different.
Fame is as seductive as it is destructive. It offers an irresistible promise: transcendence from the mundane, and the opportunity to be more than just another face in the crowd. But it also demands a sacrifice: once your head is above the parapet of anonymity, it’s very rare to be able to submerge back into the crowd on your own terms. And most insiders know this, or at least they think they do.
In my experience, celebrities enter this Faustian bargain understanding, on some level, the loss of privacy it demands. Yet few truly comprehend the depths of that loss until they are fully exposed to its glare. Celebrity in 2024 is like stepping into a spotlight that continues to follow you when you leave the stage.
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2024/oct/22/liam-payne-death-celebrity-fame
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle Split Ventures Amid Separation Rumours
The Daily Guardian
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle appear to be taking separate public paths to boost their brand, according to PR expert Mark Borkowski. The couple’s recent individual appearances have sparked speculation that they are focusing on solo ventures due to their combined “star power” not achieving the success they had hoped for.
Borkowski explained that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex are shifting their narrative, stating, “There has been a separation of their work for a while. They had to change the narrative.” He suggested their individual pursuits are a strategic move to enhance their personal brands.
https://thedailyguardian.com/prince-harry-and-meghan-markle-split-ventures-amid-separation-rumours/
Tragic Liam Payne was churned out by the pop machine that breaks its stars… inside the dark secrets of boyband fame
The Sun
PR guru Mark Borkowski agrees that reality shows and record companies that thrust young vulnerable people into the limelight need to do more to protect them.
He tells The Sun: “What the industry is not good at is shielding people from the toxicity of fame. People at the centre of it are forgotten.
“Fame is not the baubles and the glitter. Fame is a very dark force. I don’t think enough is being talked about on that level.”
Psychologist Jo Hemmings says: “Your life literally changes overnight. You’re just an ordinary kid who’s applied for a show – it’s very exciting, lots of adrenaline, enthusiasm.
“It’s every young boy’s dream. But then there’s a sense that your life isn’t really your own.
https://www.thesun.co.uk/tvandshowbiz/31139708/liam-payne-boyband-curse-stars-damaging-fame/
Prince Harry turning to ‘basics’ as Meghan ‘star power’ fails
Geo News
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, who aimed to progress with a common brand, have opted for a new strategy now.
PR guru Mark Borkowski told Best magazine: “There has been a separation [of their work] for a while.
“Harry is ‘going back to basics’ with a formula that worked well for him as a Royal Family member, but there’s also the realisation that the couple’s ‘star power’ wasn’t as successful as they hoped.
“They had to change the narrative,” he notes.
Meanwhile, royal correspondent Jennie Bond says: “Meghan is not popular. She doesn’t want to come back and they are going their own ways, to some extent.”
https://www.geo.tv/latest/569413-prince-harry-turning-to-basics-as-meghan-star-power-fails
Prince Harry goes ‘back to basics’ with ‘Royal Family formula’ as ‘star power’ with Meghan Markle dwindles, says PR pro
The Sun
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have undertaken a number of solo engagements lately, and Mark Borkowski claims Harry is going back to his “Royal Family formula”.
PR guru Mark Borkowski told Best magazine: “There has been a separation [of their work] for a while.
“Harry is ‘going back to basics’ with a formula that worked well for him as a Royal Family member, but there’s also the realisation that the couple’s ‘star power’ wasn’t as successful as they hoped.
https://www.thesun.co.uk/royals/31108565/prince-harry-returns-royal-family-formula-meghan-markle/
Tragic Liam Payne was churned out by the pop machine that breaks its stars… inside the dark secrets of boyband fame
The Sun
PR guru Mark Borkowski agrees that reality shows and record companies that thrust young vulnerable people into the limelight need to do more to protect them.
He tells The Sun: “What the industry is not good at is shielding people from the toxicity of fame. People at the centre of it are forgotten.
“Fame is not the baubles and the glitter. Fame is a very dark force. I don’t think enough is being talked about on that level.”
Psychologist Jo Hemmings says: “Your life literally changes overnight. You’re just an ordinary kid who’s applied for a show – it’s very exciting, lots of adrenaline, enthusiasm.
“It’s every young boy’s dream. But then there’s a sense that your life isn’t really your own.
“You’re away from your family a great deal of the time, you’re away from your friends. You can’t have that ordinary life.
“Also, there was no building up a career, doing the pub circuit. I don’t think you can underestimate the impact of going from zero to hero overnight.”
Strictly Come Dancing’s Wynne Evans and Katya Jones scandal sparks fears for BBC show
Liverpool Echo
Strictly Come Dancing is facing a tough time this year, with a wave of “negativity” hitting the show, as highlighted by recent events involving Wynne Evans and Katya Jones, according to a PR expert. Opera singer Wynne Evans expressed his devastation, saying he was “heartbroken” over the backlash following what he and dance partner Katya later called a “misjudged” joke, reports Wales Online.
During Saturday’s Strictly episode, Wynne was seen placing his hand on Katya Jones’ stomach, which she promptly brushed off. This wasn’t the only tense moment for the duo; in another part of the show, Katya seemed to snub Wynne’s attempt at a high five before turning towards the camera. The Times cites Mark Borkowski, a crisis PR consultant, who believes these incidents suggest “that Strictly this year is struggling. There seems to be more negativity about Strictly than there is positivity.”
https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/tv/strictly-come-dancings-wynne-evans-30147838
Kate Middleton Returns With a New Royal Role
WSJ
While British Gen Xers and boomers have been conditioned by traditional media to revere the royals, younger generations are more skeptical, polls show. “To be relevant, the institution will need to change and will need to embrace strong women,” says Mark Borkowski, a British public relations adviser who has worked with numerous celebrities. By necessity, Kate will have to more actively take her place on center stage, he says. “I think she will become a campaigner, but it will be a slow unveiling.”
From a lewd act on a boat to explicit outfits and now a fake divorce: All of Kanye West and Bianca Censori’s ridiculous antics as they are branded ‘attention-grabbing narcissists’
Mail Online
British PR expert Mark Borkowski told Dailymail.com that the eye-catching ensemble was West’s attempt to establish Censori as a pop culture figure on par with that of his former spouse.
‘This is a statement and Kanye West sees the media as his canvas and sees this as an opportunity to paint his picture,’ he said. ‘Bianca is his artwork and his muse and the person he influences to create a statement.’
Borkowski added: ‘I think this is a well sculptured PR stunt but artists create art and this is what Kanye West is doing.’
Experts Explain Why Prince Harry Appears ‘So Much Better on His Own’ Than When He Attends Events With Meghan
Cheat Sheet
As PR strategist Mark Borkowski told the Daily Telegraph: “There has been a separation [of their work] for a while. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to think there’s something going on. She has been doing the jam thing, the Martha Stewart play. He seems to be going back to basics.”
How Bianca Censori’s split from Kanye West could kickstart her new Karadashian-esque career
Mail Online
Meanwhile, Britain’s leading PR guru Mark Borkowski told MailOnline today that Bianca is in a perfet position to cast herself as a feminist icon and ‘survivor’ of her marriage.
‘Bianca might end up being cast as a survivor of Kanye’s public experimentations, while Kanye, in turn, may be rebranded as the artist who went too far’, he said.
Mr Borkowski has said he is interested to see if Bianca claims that she has been ‘exploited’ as Kanye’s pawn should their marriage collapse, after wearing lewd and outlandish outfits at her husband’s behest.
She could even become a feminist icon as a ‘survivor’, he said.
‘Bianca has been depicted as a sort of accessory in Kanye’s avant-garde, borderline dystopian fashion experiment. The highly curated, often bizarre public appearances—her barely clothed, him in oversized, futuristic garb—for me reeked of a power dynamic that could easily be spun into a “woman as prop” narrative.
‘Should they part ways, this narrative will come charging to the forefront, with critics quick to label her a pawn in Kanye’s erratic public persona machine.
‘If Bianca decides to speak out, or even just make subtle moves, the world could hear a very different story of their relationship. If she plays her cards right, the once-victim narrative could become one of empowerment—her escaping the clutches of Kanye’s controlling, creative chaos.
‘The exploitation angle may not only focus on her but also flip back on Kanye’s entire history of relationships, his treatment of women under the guise of “art.”.’
Kanye West and Bianca Censori’s wildest moments as a couple: A look back amid pair’s split
Mail Online
British PR expert Mark Borkowski told Dailymail.com of the outing that the eye-catching ensemble was West’s attempt to establish Censori as a pop culture figure on par with that of his former spouse.
‘This is a statement and Kanye West sees the media as his canvas and sees this as an opportunity to paint his picture,’ he said. ‘Bianca is his artwork and his muse and the person he influences to create a statement’.
Borkowski added, ‘I think this is a well sculptured PR stunt but artists create art and this is what Kanye West is doing.’
Prince Harry’s Repeated Solo Outings Are Causing Speculation About Meghan Markle
MSN
PR expert Mark Borkowski told The Telegraph, “There has been a separation [of their work] for a while.” Harry is “going back to basics” with a formula that worked well for him as a royal family member, but there’s also the realization that the couple’s “star power” wasn’t as successful as they hoped. Borkowski added, “They had to change the narrative. They need a venture that deflects from the failures. The charity aspect impresses upon everybody that he [Harry] does have value beyond the controversial stuff. It has the effect of separating them from the bad press and the failed content ideas.”
Prince Harry’s Repeated Solo Outings Are Causing Speculation About Meghan Markle (msn.com)
Meghan Markle’s Body Language on the Red Carpet Might Reveal How She’s Feeling About Her New Chapter
Yahoo!
“They had to change the narrative,” PR expert Mark Borkowski told The Telegraph on Oct. 1. “They need a venture that deflects from the failures. The charity aspect impresses upon everybody that he [Harry] does have value beyond the controversial stuff. It has the effect of separating them from the bad press and the failed content ideas.” Harry is sticking to the philanthropy side while Meghan will be leaning into her lifestyle guru era once American Riviera Orchard launches.
Prince Harry’s lone trips are his idea as he’s ‘desperate for one thing’, sources claim
Daily Record
Despite this, Harry has not been seen with his wife, Meghan Markle, a fact that PR strategist Mark Borkowski previously told the Daily Telegraph indicated there was “something going on”.
Mark Borkowski had previously commented on the Sussexes, stating that the “star power” they believed they would possess together “didn’t work” and they needed to “change the narrative”.
He stated: “They need a venture that deflects from the failures. The charity aspect impresses upon everybody that he [Harry] does have value beyond the controversial stuff.”
Mark went on to say: “It has the effect of separating them from the bad press and the failed content ideas. The punters still have time for Harry.”
Where’s Meghan? Prince Harry’s Solo Appearances Fuel Speculation Amid New Ventures
Business Times
PR expert Mark Borkowski offered an explanation, suggesting that this separation of work between Harry and Meghan is strategic. He noted that their initial belief in their combined “star power” did not pan out as expected following their departure from royal duties. “They had to change the narrative,” Borkowski told The Telegraph. “They need a venture that deflects from the failures. The charity aspect impresses upon everybody that he [Harry] does have value beyond the controversial stuff.”
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s ‘major problem’ with British public revealed
Daily Express
Since they got married and had their firstborn, Prince Archie, Meghan and Harry said they struggled with being accepted by the Royal Family and made the decision to leave together.
A PR expert has now claimed that Meghan was the “big problem” which has cost the prince his popularity. Speaking on The Sun’s Royal Exclusive show, Mark Borkowski claimed: “People still love Harry, they still like him.”
He added: “Their problem is they don’t like the woman he loves.”
Mark said that public perception of Meghan changed only after the couple’s decision to leave the monarchy, and was generally positive prior to it.
“There was a huge outpouring of love for her initially as people felt he [Harry] had found someone fairly late in life, at least in terms of royal standards where they sort of get married off early”, he said.
https://www.express.co.uk/news/royal/1954200/prince-harry-meghan-markle-problem
Phillip Schofield says he will be ‘forever sorry’ on primetime TV return
The Guardian
His return to primetime TV has met a mixed response. Mark Borkowski, a crisis PR consultant and author, rebutted Schofield’s claim that he is a victim of cancel culture. Writing in the Guardian, he said: “This was a spectacular career collapse sparked by a serious HR violation, an abuse of power and a betrayal of his inner circle, not to mention millions of viewers who saw one man and realised he was another.”
Borkowski said the show was “clearly designed to propel Schofield into a redemption arc” and that he must “put in the performance of a lifetime” to pull it off.
Phillip Schofield is following the modern celebrity redemption playbook. Here it is
Guardian
The presenter was disgraced after an abuse of power in the workplace. His appearance on Cast Away is strategic – but you, the public, will decide if it’s successful
In what feels like the blink of an eye, Phillip Schofield is heading back to our primetime screens.
He never was a casualty of cancel culture – this was a spectacular career collapse sparked by a serious HR violation, an abuse of power and a betrayal of his inner circle, not to mention millions of viewers who saw one man and realised he was another. “I have brought myself down. I am done. I have to talk about television in the past tense, which breaks my heart,” he said then. But that was then.
Now, 16 months later, here he is, a contemporary Lazarus, gearing up for a comeback as if nothing had ever happened. In the fame business, it seems that even the most spectacular falls from grace have a reset button.