Royal Family
Meghan Markle’s podcast was rejected by Taylor Swift and Beyonce and Harry planned to interview Putin and Donald Trump
In what can only be described as a tumultuous journey, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle‘s ambitious foray into the world of podcasting has hit some serious snags.
Their venture with Spotify, reportedly valued at £18 million, has soured within just three years, sparking a revealing article by Vanity Fair that outlines the multitude of problems they faced.
The couple’s aspirations for a successful series were dashed by their inability to produce engaging, consistent content.
A former employee noted that unlike other celebrity podcasters who could simply “turn on the mic and talk,” Harry and Meghan yearned for larger existential themes but often struggled to generate any concrete ideas.
Harry’s brainstorming sessions yielded some peculiar concepts.
Among his suggestions was a weekly review of hot chocolate, which surely would have left listeners scratching their heads.
He also entertained the idea of interviewing controversial figures like Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump, ostensibly to delve into their “sociopathic” tendencies, a proposition that certainly raised eyebrows.
On Meghan’s side, the challenge lay in her indecisiveness regarding concepts.
She often found herself taking a single idea and then backtracking, resulting in late-stage reimaginings of episodes.
This sometimes led to significant alterations even as production was already underway, creating further delays and frustration.
When Meghan finally launched her podcast, “Archetypes,” the intention was to uplift women by challenging traditional gender stereotypes.
Despite the noble aim, the show struggled to gain traction, compounded by reports suggesting that high-profile guests like Taylor Swift, Beyoncé, and Megan Thee Stallion had all turned down invitations to join her.
According to Vanity Fair’s revelations, the origins of “Archetypes” were actually the brainchild of an employee, yet that individual didn’t receive any credit for their input.
The podcast premiered in August 2022, but by June 2023, a mutual decision was made to end their collaboration with Spotify, following a drawn-out production process that had drained resources and enthusiasm.
Production woes continued to plague the couple, as Spotify’s Gimlet studio found itself pulled in to assist with the costlier side of the show’s production.
Rumors of notable artists declining invitations for appearances only added to the sense of disarray, diminishing the original star-studded vision for the series.
Problems weren’t confined just to content, as there were reports of high turnover among Spotify staff connected with the project.
A colleague who worked on “Archetypes” reportedly left after just three episodes, while others experienced burnout, requiring breaks to escape the pressures of the job.
A source explained that Meghan’s awareness of her own role in these dynamics could enhance her public image significantly.
The couple’s image took additional hits in the media, particularly from commentator Bill Simmons, who called them “f******* grifters” in a candid reflection on his experiences working with them.
His critique highlighted the challenges and frustrations many faced during their collaboration.
Further complicating the creative process were Meghan’s tendencies to backtrack on more provocative ideas.
For example, she previously considered using a stronger term relating to women’s empowerment, only to backtrack to a milder version in the interest of maintaining broad appeal.
According to insiders, this pattern watered down the discussions, leading to a series of episodes that strayed from the intended depth of conversation.
Harry’s engagement—or lack thereof—also presented challenges.
Sources within the team characterized him as difficult to work with, raising questions about his commitment to the project.
It seemed there was an underlying belief that Harry preferred to take a backseat, leaving Meghan to spearhead the podcasting venture while he focused on charitable endeavors.
Despite their high-profile status and significant backing, Harry and Meghan’s podcasting effort serves as a cautionary tale about the complexities of transitioning into new fields.
With a booming podcast industry saturated with talent, navigating the nuances of captivating content creation proved far more daunting than they anticipated.
