Latest news with #Masaka
Daily Mail
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Meghan and Harry tease new Netflix documentary on African orphans - and fans are drawing parallels with how the Sussexes view their own lives
One of the upcoming projects part of Meghan Markle and Prince Harry 's 'first look' deal with Netflix is a short documentary about an African orphanage in Uganda. The orphanage is home to the Masaka Kids, a dancing troupe comprising children aged two and above that has found widespread fame online. The group's story forms the foundation for the movie titled 'Masaka Kids, A Rhythm Within' and will be part of the Sussexes' new downgraded Netflix contract that offers the streamer first rights to future film and TV projects. However, social media users have criticised Harry and Meghan, both of whom have producer credits on the documentary, for belittling the subject in a press release from the couple's production company Archewell. According to the joint statement released by the Sussexes and Netflix, the film 'goes beyong the viral videos to reveal a vibrant, one-of-a-kind community where orphaned children transform hardship into joy, dancing their way toward the promise of a brighter future'. However, the synopsis was branded 'more MeMe word salad' from the Sussexes as outraged social media users said the statement appeared to 'trivialise the hardships of others for self-glorification'. The movie's logline, some pointed out, echoes the language used by the 44-year-old Duchess of Sussex in interviews and media appearances since quitting the Royal Family and relocating to California with Prince Harry. Others accused the couple of monetising the hardship endured by others while simultaneously drawing parallels with their own lives as the couple have frequently spoken about using overcoming challenges by creating moments of joy and celebration. Last August, Meghan opened up about embracing a 'chapter of joy' that presumably followed her tumultuous stay in the UK as a senior Royal after marrying Prince Harry during a speech at Oprah Winfrey's book club meeting. During her quasi-royal tour of Colombia with the Duke of Sussex around the same time, Meghan linked joy to the practice of gratitude - in an address echoing self-help guru Brene Brown - while discussing how we can continue to 'inspire and create change'. She told the panel in Colombia: 'From my standpoint, how I will continue to express this, both through our foundation and through being able to move through the world, I suppose, is just looking at this as my chapter of joy. 'And the more that you are able to look at your life and really, truly, recognise that if you're going to be grateful for your life, you have to be grateful for all aspects of it. 'The parts that were opportunities of growth and may have felt very difficult as well as the parts that feel inspiring, joyful and full.' Reddit users noted the short note about the documentary had left a bitter taste, as one person said: 'Yeah, let's watch a bunch of underprivileged children dance their way to healing! More MeMe word salad.' A similar comment read: 'Watch those two try to turn hardship into a TikTok dance trend. They are not healing wounds. They are selling tickets to the spectacle. Please tell Netflix to hire crisis consultants and just STOP. 'The reality is, people paying for Netflix are not looking for Ugandan orphans. That is a program better suited for PBS.' Another shared: 'Ugh! I wonder who wrote that patronising, puerile, ignorant, exploitive, superficial c**p. Just get some poor Ugandan kids to dance and their hardships will be transformed into joy, they will be healed, they will belong, their future will be brighter. What an utter bunch of s***. They noted that while 'dancing can help with trauma', it cannot magically turn it 'into joy', adding: 'True to form, H & M trivialise the hardships of others for self-glorification - remember when Meg made a big deal of donating makeup to young women who had lost their homes in wildfires.' A similar message posted on Reddit read: 'Yes, splendind, just what the world needs! Those two producing a dance therapy session for orphans - because nothing screams authenticity like orchestrated joy to distract from decades of headline chaos. 'Tragedy becoming the circus backdrop for their self-serving narrative.' One person pointed out that the Masaka Kids and Meghan have similar online followings, adding: 'Masaka Kids has a YouTube channel with 4.1 Million subs, what exactly is Harry and Meghan bringing to the table?' In fact, it is Meghan's Instagram follower count currently stands at 4.1 million - about 200,000 short of the Masaka Kids's 4.3 million YouTube subscribers. Some were, however, supportive of their endeavour, with one X user writing: 'Yay, Ugandan that they are doing a documentary about those lovely kids! It will increase their visibility.' Commenting on the optics of the docuseries from a branding perspective, expert Chad Teixeira told the Daily Mail 'the choice to be involved in Masaka Kids, A Rhythm Within aligns closely with the Sussexes' ongoing narrative of resilience, purpose, and elevating stories that might otherwise be overlooked'. However, he added, 'there is a clear disparity between the Sussexes' lived experiences and those of the children in Uganda's Masaka region, and this is where careful narrative framing is essential'. Chad cautioned: 'Handled sensitively, this project reinforces their brand positioning as cultural storytellers and advocates for human resilience. 'It also strategically taps into a universal emotional thread, that joy can be a radical act in the face of hardship, without diluting the gravity of the children's reality. 'The key will be in ensuring their commentary keeps the focus firmly on the children and the community, positioning themselves as facilitators of visibility rather than co-protagonists in the narrative.' Elsewhere, PR expert Hayley Knight, the co-founder of BE YELLOW PR agency, said that the couple are likely using the momentum from their previous projects for this campaign. 'After the mass attention gained from their previous Netflix documentary 'Harry & Meghan', it seems they want to use this momentum and shift attention to something deeper,' she explained. 'This documentary, and the themes around it takes them back to their roots of empathetic storytelling, echoing Princess Diana's legacy of compassionate engagement with these communities, and the challenges they endure. 'The documentary also likely holds special meaning for the Sussexes. As parents, they understand the profound urgency of security, education, and love for every child, not just their own. And as public figures who have experienced scrutiny and discrimination, they understand the harm stigma, neglect and prejudice can inflict.' However, she added, the 'project hasn't been met without criticism, with some arguing that the documentary frames poverty through joyful dancing, reducing deep systematic hardship down to a feel-good spectacle for Western audiences'. 'Children cannot simply "dance their way" out of a lack of the issues that they face, and the documentary should focus more on the challenges around lack of education, healthcare and security, and that the documentary glosses over, and distracts the need for long term, structural change,' she added. 'It's the balance many filmmakers and charities face - inspiration without trivialising. However, with 4.1m subscribers on YouTube, the story behind the Masaka Kids, who have endured devastating personal loss from famine and war, and use the power of dance and song to overcome hardship, has touched people worldwide, and started conversations. 'The documentary will simply amplify this, and also tap into new audiences who already follow them online.' Netflix and Archewell Productions on Monday released all the details about their new 'multi-year, first look deal for film and television projects' that experts have said is a downgrade on their earlier $100million contract. The renewed deal was described by the Sussexes - who made the announcement with Netflix - as 'extending their creative partnership' through Archewell Productions. However, the new terms are understood to be less lucrative for the Sussexes than their previous contract under which they released the bombshell, two-part docuseries about the hardships they endured before stepping down as senior Royals. Netflix said Harry & Meghan, which came out in December 2022, was a huge success with a total of 23.4million views, making it the most viewed documentary ever through its first four days and reaching the English Top 10 TV list in 85 countries. But With Love, Meghan - Meghan's recently renewed lifestyle series - failed to break into Netflix's top ten programmes - or even the top 300, as it ranked at number 383 in 2025 so far for the streaming giant with just 5.3million viewers across the globe since it was first broadcast in March. The announcement about the new docuseries comes after a spokesperson for the Duke of Sussex confirmed he is considering starting a new African charity to rival Sentebale after he quit following a race row. The Duke last week walked away from the charity following a damning report. But, as exclusively revealed by the Mail on Sunday, his spokesperson has now confirmed Harry is weighing up how to carry on supporting the region. 'The duke remains absolutely committed to continuing the work he started, supporting the children and young people of Lesotho and Botswana, nearly 20 years ago,' the spokesperson said today. 'In what form that support takes - no decisions have been made.
Daily Mail
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Meghan and Harry tease new Netflix documentary on a group of African orphans who turned their 'hardships into joy' after gaining fame from dance videos - and fans are drawing parallels
One of the upcoming projects part of Meghan Markle and Prince Harry 's 'first look' deal with Netflix is a short documentary about an African orphanage in Uganda. The orphanage is home to the Masaka Kids, a dancing troupe comprising children aged two and above that has found widespread fame online. The group's story forms the foundation for the movie titled 'Masaka Kids, A Rhythm Within' and will be part of the Sussexes' new downgraded Netflix contract that offers the streamer first rights to future film and TV projects. However, social media users have criticised Harry and Meghan, both of whom have producer credits on the documentary, for belittling the subject in a press release from the couple's production company Archewell. According to the joint statement released by the Sussexes and Netflix, the film 'goes beyong the viral videos to reveal a vibrant, one-of-a-kind community where orphaned children transform hardship into joy, dancing their way toward the promise of a brighter future'. However, the synopsis was branded 'more MeMe word salad' from the Sussexes as outraged social media users said the statement appeared to 'trivialise the hardships of others for self-glorification'. The movie's logline, some pointed out, echoes the language used by the 44-year-old Duchess of Sussex in interviews and media appearances since quitting the Royal Family and relocating to California with Prince Harry. Others accused the couple of monetising the hardship endured by others while simultaneously drawing parallels with their own lives as the couple have frequently spoken about using overcoming challenges by creating moments of joy and celebration. Last August, Meghan opened up about embracing a 'chapter of joy' that presumably followed her tumultuous stay in the UK as a senior Royal after marrying Prince Harry during a speech at Oprah Winfrey's book club meeting. During her quasi-royal tour of Colombia with the Duke of Sussex around the same time, Meghan linked joy to the practice of gratitude - in an address echoing self-help guru Brene Brown - while discussing how we can continue to 'inspire and create change'. She told the panel in Colombia: 'From my standpoint, how I will continue to express this, both through our foundation and through being able to move through the world, I suppose, is just looking at this as my chapter of joy. 'And the more that you are able to look at your life and really, truly, recognise that if you're going to be grateful for your life, you have to be grateful for all aspects of it. 'The parts that were opportunities of growth and may have felt very difficult as well as the parts that feel inspiring, joyful and full.' Reddit users noted the short note about the documentary had left a bitter taste, as one person said: 'Yeah, let's watch a bunch of underprivileged children dance their way to healing! More MeMe word salad.' A similar comment read: 'Watch those two try to turn hardship into a TikTok dance trend. They are not healing wounds. They are selling tickets to the spectacle. Please tell Netflix to hire crisis consultants and just STOP. 'The reality is, people paying for Netflix are not looking for Ugandan orphans. That is a program better suited for PBS.' Another shared: 'Ugh! I wonder who wrote that patronising, puerile, ignorant, exploitive, superficial c**p. Just get some poor Ugandan kids to dance and their hardships will be transformed into joy, they will be healed, they will belong, their future will be brighter. What an utter bunch of s***. They noted that while 'dancing can help with trauma', it cannot magically turn it 'into joy', adding: 'True to form, H & M trivialise the hardships of others for self-glorification - remember when Meg made a big deal of donating makeup to young women who had lost their homes in wildfires.' A similar message posted on Reddit read: 'Yes, splendind, just what the world needs! Those two producing a dance therapy session for orphans - because nothing screams authenticity like orchestrated joy to distract from decades of headline chaos. 'Tragedy becoming the circus backdrop for their self-serving narrative.' One person pointed out that the Masaka Kids and Meghan have similar online followings, adding: 'Masaka Kids has a YouTube channel with 4.1 Million subs, what exactly is Harry and Meghan bringing to the table?' In fact, it is Meghan's Instagram follower count currently stands at 4.1 million - about 200,000 short of the Masaka Kids's 4.3 million YouTube subscribers. Some were, however, supportive of their endeavour, with one X user writing: 'Yay, Ugandan that they are doing a documentary about those lovely kids! It will increase their visibility.' Commenting on the optics of the docuseries from a branding perspective, expert Chad Teixeira told the Daily Mail 'the choice to be involved in Masaka Kids, A Rhythm Within aligns closely with the Sussexes' ongoing narrative of resilience, purpose, and elevating stories that might otherwise be overlooked'. The movie's logline, some pointed out, echoes the language used by the 44-year-old Duchess of Sussex in interviews and media appearances since quitting the Royal Family and relocating to California with Prince Harry However, he added, 'there is a clear disparity between the Sussexes' lived experiences and those of the children in Uganda's Masaka region, and this is where careful narrative framing is essential'. Chad cautioned: 'Handled sensitively, this project reinforces their brand positioning as cultural storytellers and advocates for human resilience. 'It also strategically taps into a universal emotional thread, that joy can be a radical act in the face of hardship, without diluting the gravity of the children's reality. 'The key will be in ensuring their commentary keeps the focus firmly on the children and the community, positioning themselves as facilitators of visibility rather than co-protagonists in the narrative.' Netflix and Archewell Productions on Monday released all the details about their new 'multi-year, first look deal for film and television projects' that experts have said is a downgrade on their earlier $100million contract. The renewed deal was described by the Sussexes - who made the announcement with Netflix - as 'extending their creative partnership' through Archewell Productions. However, the new terms are understood to be less lucrative for the Sussexes than their previous contract under which they released the bombshell, two-part docuseries about the hardships they endured before stepping down as senior Royals. Netflix said Harry & Meghan, which came out in December 2022, was a huge success with a total of 23.4million views, making it the most viewed documentary ever through its first four days and reaching the English Top 10 TV list in 85 countries. But With Love, Meghan - Meghan's recently renewed lifestyle series - failed to break into Netflix's top ten programmes - or even the top 300, as it ranked at number 383 in 2025 so far for the streaming giant with just 5.3million viewers across the globe since it was first broadcast in March. The announcement about the new docuseries comes after a spokesperson for the Duke of Sussex confirmed he is considering starting a new African charity to rival Sentebale after he quit following a race row. The Duke last week walked away from the charity following a damning report. But, as exclusively revealed by the Mail on Sunday, his spokesperson has now confirmed Harry is weighing up how to carry on supporting the region. 'The duke remains absolutely committed to continuing the work he started, supporting the children and young people of Lesotho and Botswana, nearly 20 years ago,' the spokesperson said today. 'In what form that support takes - no decisions have been made.
Telegraph
11-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Telegraph
Harry and Meghan sign new multi-year Netflix deal
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have signed a new multi-year deal with Netflix to produce films, television shows and documentaries. Among the couple's first offerings will be a documentary short about a Ugandan orphanage called Masaka Kids, A Rhythm Within, co-produced by both Prince Harry and Meghan. In December, the Duchess will also present a one-off 'magical holiday' special of With Love, Meghan, her cookery and lifestyle show, which promises to show viewers how to 'deck the halls, create holiday feasts, craft heartfelt gifts and share lots of laughs'. The new deal was announced on Monday. The Duchess, whose As Ever brand is run in conjunction with Netflix, said she and Harry were 'proud' to extend their partnership with Netflix. 'My husband and I feel inspired by our partners who work closely with us and our Archewell Productions team to create thoughtful content across genres that resonates globally, and celebrates our shared vision,' she said. Bela Bajaria, Netflix's chief content officer, said: 'Harry and Meghan are influential voices whose stories resonate with audiences everywhere.'
Yahoo
10-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Brighton's trailblazer Aisha Masaka: ‘It was my dream to play in Europe'
Aisha Masaka became the first Tanzanian footballer to play in the Women's Super League (WSL) when she signed for Brighton last summer, and she is a pioneer for her country in several ways. Masaka was the first to play in the Champions League, when she was with the Swedish Club BK Häcken, from 2022 to 2024, and recently launched the AKM Foundation, aimed at fighting poverty and promoting gender equality through sport. Masaka started playing street football as a teenager and dabbled in every other sport available to her including basketball and volleyball, much to her parents' dismay. 'We fought a lot because parents, especially in Africa, find it difficult to allow their girls to play football,' says the 21-year-old. 'They wanted me to go to school and not be involved in any sport at all.'. Advertisement Related: Kenza Dali: 'I will tell my story after the Euros. A lot of lies have been told' However, Masaka persisted and her parents could not hold her back when she was offered a place at the Alliance Academy in the city of Mwanza, on the shores of Lake Victoria. 'When the opportunity came, I told them I had to take it,' Masaka says. 'It was an academic school and a football academy, so that's why they agreed to let me to go there. They said If I was going to study and play then it was OK for them. That's where my career started.' The academy proved the perfect training ground for Masaka, who from there went to Yanga Princess, the female-affiliate of Tanzania's most successful club team, Young Africans. It was not long before she was on the national radar, and in 2020 was part of the Tanzanian team that participated as invited guests at the Council of Southern Africa Football Associations (Cosafa) Under-17 Championship. Tanzania won, beating Zambia on penalties in the final, with Masaka earning the golden boot. She scored 10 goals and had done enough to be spotted by a scout from Europe and offered a deal in Sweden. It was a big move for a teenager but one Masaka had to take. 'It was my dream to play in Europe, so when that opportunity came I didn't hesitate to take it. I was very excited to go to play in Europe,' she says. 'The environment is different, everything is different and it was my first time living alone, so it was a big change. But I managed well.' Advertisement Masaka made her debut for Häcken in the second qualifying-round of the 2022-23 Champions League, against Paris Saint-Germain. Masaka scored five goals in 14 appearances for the club before moving to England. 'It was amazing because everyone at home saw that I was signed for a top league and they looked at it as a big achievement for me and for the country,' she says. Is Tanzania now filled with Brighton supporters? 'Definitely,' Masaka laughs. 'It's also important for other footballers because the players who play in the top league and the national team look at me and say that I play in a top league and with big players and they know they can do it too.' Masaka's experiences in the WSL have not quite gone to plan. She made her debut for Brighton as an 87th-minute substitute against Arsenal in November and almost immediately fell, severely injuring her shoulder in the process. She was sidelined for five months, which was hugely frustrating but Masaka used her time out wisely, conceptualising AKM. It was launched last month and well and truly kicked off last weekend with an all-stars charity match, a few days after Masaka received the Female Athlete of the Year award from Tanzania's National Sports Council. The prize was in recognition of Masaka's international record, namely scoring nine times in 16 appearances for Tanzania and being part of the squad that qualified for this summer's Women's Africa Cup of Nations for only the second time in the country's history. 'It was big pressure,' Masaka says. 'I don't think I have ever experienced that before, but it was amazing for me to qualify for the first time and for the second time as a country. When Tanzania qualified for the first time, I wasn't even playing football.' Advertisement Tanzania are in the same group as the defending champions, South Africa, Ghana and Mali and Masaka is hopeful they will acquit themselves. 'I have been a player in two big tournaments: the Champions League and the Women's Super League but the Women's Africa Cup of Nations is so special for me because there I represent the country,' she says. 'I believe we're going to perform well and my dream is to get to the quarter-finals.' Masaka also hopes Tanzania can qualify for Wafcon again, the process for which begins in March next year. She also has domestic ambitions. 'At Brighton I also hope we can fight and be top four and then to go to Champions League.' Get in touch If you have any questions or comments about any of our newsletters please email • This is an extract from our free weekly email, Moving the Goalposts. To get the full edition, visit this page and follow the instructions. Moving the Goalposts is back in to its twice-weekly format, delivered to your inboxes every Tuesday and Thursday.
