Title: Prince Harry and Meghan Markle Accused of Fraud as Inspiration for Podcast Deal with Spotify
In 2020, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle announced a lucrative deal with Spotify and their audio production house, Archewell, worth $20 million. The agreement involved the couple creating multiple audio programs. However, since the announcement, they have only released a Christmas special and a program called ‘Archetypes’.
The ‘Archetypes’ podcast consisted of only 12 episodes and featured notable figures such as Serena Williams, Mariah Carey, and Paris Hilton. According to anonymous sources cited by the Wall Street Journal, the couple did not produce enough content to receive full payment from the agreement.
WMW, the talent agency representing Meghan Markle, responded to these claims by stating that the team behind ‘Archetypes’ remains proud of the podcast they created on Spotify. They also mentioned that Meghan is currently developing more content for another platform, indicating that the couple is still actively involved in podcasting.
However, before this clarification, Bill Simmons, a Spotify executive, expressed his disappointment on his show, criticizing the couple and calling them “scammers.” Simmons revealed that he had a Zoom call with Prince Harry to discuss podcast ideas and expressed regret for not being involved in their deal. He further questioned Harry’s talent and relevance, stating that people only care about the couple when they talk about the royal family.
Bill Simmons, who currently serves as the head of innovation and monetization at Spotify, has been vocal about his dislike for the couple in the past. In January 2023, he expressed his shame for being on the same platform as them and questioned their contributions outside of selling documentaries and podcasts.
Despite the controversy surrounding their podcast deal, Meghan Markle expressed gratitude to her audience at the end of the first season of ‘Archetypes’. She mentioned that they are working on other ways to continue the conversation and thanked listeners for their support.
The ‘Archetypes’ podcast received recognition at the People’s Choice Awards, winning the prize for the best podcast. Meghan expressed her love for the creative process and meaningful conversations with diverse guests, describing it as a labor of love.
As of now, it remains unclear what platform Meghan Markle is developing content for, following the end of their podcast deal with Spotify. The couple’s podcast journey has been met with both praise and criticism, with accusations of fraud surrounding their lack of content production.
What projects and deals are Prince Harry and Meghan Markle currently working on to build their media empire?
Ng Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, has denied these claims of fraud. They stated that the couple fulfilled their obligations under the agreement and were compensated accordingly.
The recent news of Spotify ending their deal with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle has also led to speculation about the state of their media empire. While it is true that the couple’s podcast deal with Spotify has come to an end, it is important to note that they have multiple other projects in the works.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have shown a commitment to building a media empire through their production company, Archewell. In addition to their podcast, they have also signed a multi-year deal with Netflix to produce documentaries, docuseries, feature films, scripted television shows, and children’s programming.
It is worth mentioning that the couple has already released a documentary series on mental health called “The Me You Can’t See” in collaboration with Oprah Winfrey on Apple TV+. This series received positive reviews and sparked important conversations about mental health.
While the Spotify podcast deal may have ended, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s media empire is far from crumbling. They continue to pursue various projects aimed at amplifying diverse voices and telling impactful stories. As for the allegations of fraud, it is important to await further developments and official statements from all parties involved.
Yes, Harry and Meghan’s Spotify deal lived up to the hype! Their content is refreshing, resonating with diverse perspectives, and includes inspiring conversations that touch on crucial societal issues. Well done!