The show welcomed notable guests such as Serena Williams, Paris Hilton, and Mariah Carey. Despite its early success, the partnership between Meghan and Spotify fizzled out after just one season. Both Spotify and Archewell, the media company founded by Markle and Prince Harry, released a joint statement in June, stating that they had mutually agreed to part ways and expressing pride in the series they had created together. According to Archewell Productions, the podcast garnered over 1 million listens per episode and amassed more than 10 million total listens.
While no specific details were provided regarding the reasons behind the split, Spotify executive Bill Simmons made disparaging remarks about the couple, referring to them as "f-----g grifters" after their contract was canceled. Simmons shared his thoughts on his own podcast, expressing frustration and jokingly suggesting a podcast titled "The F-----g Grifters" featuring Meghan and Harry. He also hinted at a Zoom meeting he had with Harry to assist him with podcast ideas, teasing that he might share the entertaining story after a few drinks.
Jeremy Zimmer, CEO of United Talent Agency (UTA), also commented on the situation, criticizing Meghan's audio talent. He stated that being famous doesn't automatically equate to being great at something and implied that Meghan relied heavily on her producers, with her own audio being inserted later during interviews.
Kinsey Schofield, a royal expert and podcast host, highlighted a lack of authenticity in Meghan's approach. She noted that Meghan conducted celebrity interviews personally but allowed producers to handle conversations with featured experts, leading to a perceived lack of genuine engagement. Schofield also criticized the choice of topics, deeming them too focused on woke culture and irrelevant issues, suggesting that Meghan should prioritize relatable content and long-form conversations.
While Spotify initially sought to have both Meghan and Harry as hosts, Schofield pointed out that Harry's involvement was limited to a holiday special in which he made only a brief appearance. She suggested that Meghan's 12 episodes and the one holiday special failed to deliver the expected return on investment for Spotify.
Schofield advised Meghan to take cues from Lemonada's success and focus on shaping her next project accordingly. She emphasized the importance of authenticity, relatability, and meaningful content, recommending fewer scripted elements and more solutions-oriented discussions. Schofield also suggested reducing reliance on producers and focusing on the audience that Meghan has already cultivated.
Hilary Fordwich, a royal watcher, viewed the termination of Meghan's contract as a simple business decision, stating that companies prioritize returns on their investments. She speculated that Lemonada's decision to partner with Meghan may have been driven by branding considerations, noting that Lemonada is a smaller player in the podcast industry. Fordwich suggested that this move could be seen as a step up for Lemonada and a comparatively smaller deal for Meghan.
Reflecting on the performance of the "Archetypes" podcast, Fordwich mentioned that it initially achieved high streaming rankings but later experienced a decline in popularity. She alluded to allegations that Spotify artificially kept the podcast within the "Top Podcasts" category despite a dwindling number of real listeners, which she deemed embarrassing and detrimental to Spotify's reputation.
Fordwich, in her recent podcast, expressed the opinion that Meghan Markle should put in more effort. She suggested that Meghan should focus on researching and presenting rich and appropriate content backed by proper data, rather than relying solely on her limited personal and inward-focused approach. Fordwich emphasized that understanding and catering to the audience's interests should be paramount.
Another royal expert, Shannon Felton Spence, highlighted the merits of Lemonada, the podcast platform that also hosts Julia Louis-Dreyfus' acclaimed podcast, "Wiser Than Me," which was recognized as the 2023 Show of the Year by Apple Podcasts. Spence explained that Lemonada prides itself on authenticity and the telling of genuinely real and diverse stories. She noted that Lemonada's podcast hosts go beyond the audio files to engage with guests and listeners in a way that blurs the line between listener and friend. According to Spence, this aspect poses a significant challenge for Meghan, as the overly produced and one-sided nature of "Archetypes" ultimately led to its lack of success. She advised Meghan to tap into her authentic self and recapture the spirit of her former lifestyle website, The Tig, as it would be a perfect fit for Lemonada.
It is worth mentioning that Meghan closed down her lifestyle website, The Tig, a few months after she began dating Prince Harry in 2017. The website, which was established in 2014, aimed to share Meghan's personal reflections and her passions for food and travel. The name of the website, "The Tig," was inspired by the Italian wine Tignanello.
