Meghan's assistant recently disclosed that Meghan Markle, also known as Marco, allegedly invested over $200,000 in purchasing fake followers for her newly established Instagram accounts, which started from $100 to reach 10K followers.
This revelation surfaces amidst Instagram's observation of a surge in profiles imitating Meghan Markle's latest venture, the American Riviera Orchard, a lifestyle brand. Megan's announcement of this business endeavor was accompanied by a glossy video teaser and hints about the venture's nature, quickly amassing over 339,000 followers. However, insider reports suggest that a significant portion of these followers might be fraudulent.
The surprise surrounding Meghan's venture sparked speculation about its specifics and the significance of its name. Despite the ambiguity, numerous Instagram users hastily replicated variations of Meghan's new handle, potentially exposing others to scams. Within a mere 24 hours, at least 15 users had created accounts under the moniker "American Riviera Orchard," with some already amassing over a thousand followers, hinting at their belief that Meghan was involved.
Most of these accounts not only adopt the name "American Riviera Orchard" but also incorporate Meghan's logo, which bears a striking resemblance to a royal crest and features the initials "A" and "R," presumably representing "American Riviera." The company's name is elegantly written in what appears to be Meghan's own calligraphy. Furthermore, some accounts openly claim to be operated by the Duchess herself, referring to her as "Megan, Duchess of Sussex."
While the nature of Meghan's business remains unclear, concerns arise regarding potential scams targeting consumers if the venture sells products in the future. The insider also revealed that Meghan Markle's official account had been followed by bot accounts, contributing to the inflated follower count. According to Meghan's former assistant, acquiring 250,000 followers in a day, especially for famous individuals, is a daunting task. The assistant highlighted the suspicious nature of Meghan's follower growth, suggesting that they are predominantly purchased, evident from the lack of organic engagement despite rapid follower accumulation.
Moreover, the assistant shed light on the affordability of purchasing followers, with prices as low as $100 for 10,000 followers. Observations suggest that Meghan's follower count continues to increase rapidly, albeit with bot-like accounts, raising doubts about the authenticity of her online presence.
Critics condemn this strategy, branding Meghan's actions as inauthentic and casting doubt on her credibility. They contrast her follower growth rate with that of other celebrities, citing examples like Rupert Grint, Angelina Jolie, and David Attenborough, who garnered millions of followers in significantly shorter time frames, thereby questioning Meghan's impact on social media.
