CEO, podcast host, author, investor, self-proclaimed Happy Sexy Millionaire... Steven Bartlett has never been short of accolades. His narrative is tight. Bartlett is the university dropout who grew up in financial hardship but made a million by 23.
Today, he’s the youngest investor to get a seat in the BBC’s Dragons’ Den and, over the years, Bartlett has gained a reputation as an entrepreneurial renegade and wellness guru. More than 10 million people download his cult podcast, Diary of a CEO, every month; his book of the same name – as well as his memoir, which really is titled Happy Sexy Millionaire – is a bestseller.
Forbes magazine valued his social media and investment empire at £71m when he was just 26 years old. He came from little and made a lot – a perfect rags-to-riches story. And yet...
People really don’t like Steven Bartlett. Like, huge swathes of people. They don’t like the way he speaks. Based on no intimate knowledge of him at all and just a feeling, all kinds of people will tell you they think he’s a “narcissist”, a ”grifter” “a hustler”.
“He’s a new-age hippy but made all his money in marketing and social media,” another posted recently. “He just promotes quacks and mad health theories,” says another. More gripes: “He lets people like Matt Hancock whinge to him about being in love on his podcast.” “He wears fancy clothing.” I just find him very smug.”
These are not unique opinions. In fact, social media platforms are full of them – last week more vehemently than most.
On Wednesday, Bartlett’s advertising deal with “nutritionally complete” food brand Huel and wellness programme app Zoe was sensationally pulled by the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA).
Esta historia es de la edición August 19, 2024 de The Independent.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor ? Conectar
Esta historia es de la edición August 19, 2024 de The Independent.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor? Conectar
Draper puts health first in his bid to break the top 10
Brit No 1 managing hip problem ahead of Australian Open
Arteta needs a 'can opener' to cure misfiring Gunners
Mikel Arteta is aware that Arsenal need more “explosiveness” in attack, and his staff are looking to rectify this in the January transfer window, although much of this would have been clear to see before Tuesday night’s Carabao Cup defeat to Newcastle United.
Hammers seek Potter magic after Lopetegui exit farce
Farewell, Julen Lopetegui. You leave West Ham as you arrived: unwanted by fans, and even by technical director Tim Steidten, it seems.
Spurs subdue Liverpool and dream of Wembley
It’s a bit premature to say this was a night when Tottenham Hotspur’s young team came of age, but this 1-0 victory over Liverpool was an impressive show of maturity when they most needed it. An 18-year-old Lucas Bergvall appropriately settled it, crowning the fine work of fellow teenager Archie Gray.
FTSE 250 and pound slump as UK gilt yields hit a high
London’s stock markets faltered yesterday, with the FTSE 250 slumping to a five-month low and the pound weakening as UK long-term borrowing costs continued to spike.
Bodies of father and son hostages recovered in Gaza
The bodies of two Israeli hostages have been recovered by troops in Gaza, Israel’s defence minister said yesterday.
French minister tells Trump Europe will protect borders
France’s foreign minister Jean-Noel Barrot has fiercely defended the European Union in response to US president-elect Donald Trump’s claim that America should take ownership and control of Greenland”.
'I did my best to prevent it'
Mother of 14-year-old stabbing victim Kelyan Bokassa tells Barney Davis her heart skipped’ every time her son went out
Brexiteers left infuriated by PM's Foreign Office choice
The appointment of Theresa May’s former chief negotiator with the European Union as the most senior civil servant in the Foreign Office (FCDO) by Sir Keir Starmer is being seen as a statement of intent in his determination to reset relations with the EU.
Corbyn attacks Starmer on private sector's role in NHS
Jeremy Corbyn has accused Sir Keir Starmer of betraying” the health service by introducing a much greater role for the private sector, which he warns will hollow out the NHS.
