The Duke and Duchess of Sus𝓈ℯ𝓍 were damningly described as ‘f*****g grifters’ by a Spotify executive hours after the parting of the ways was announced between them and the audio giant last year.
So I’m sorry to hear that Meghan’s new deal with a much smaller podcast company is struggling to get off the starting blocks.
Prince Harry‘s wife announced amid great fanfare in February that she had signed a deal with Lemonada Media, a female-founded company that wants to ‘make life suck less’.
The Duchess, who produced only one series of her podcast Archetypes for Spotify before parting ways with the company, had signed with Lemonada to develop and host a new series.
However, a source tells me that there is not expected to be any work broadcast this year. ‘The relaunch of Meghan’s Archetypes podcast got pushed back to 2025,’ the California-based source says.
The Duchess of Sus𝓈ℯ𝓍 (pictured) announced amid great fanfare in February that she had signed a deal with Lemonada Media, a female-founded company that wants to ‘make life suck less’, writes Richard Eden
The Duke and Duchess of Sus𝓈ℯ𝓍 (pictured, in May 2023) were damningly described as ‘f*****g grifters’ by a Spotify executive hours after the parting of the ways was announced between them and the audio giant last year
The Duchess, who produced only one series of her podcast Archetypes for Spotify before parting ways with the company, had signed with Lemonada to develop and host a new series
However, a source tells me that there is not expected to be any work broadcast this year. ‘The relaunch of Meghan’s Archetypes podcast got pushed back to 2025,’ the California-based source says (pictured: the Sus𝓈ℯ𝓍es in April)
A spokesman for Meghan declined to comment, but sources claim she had a list of ‘very high-profile guests’ scheduled to participate in her new podcasts
It is understood that Lemonada did not want the podcast’s launch to be overshadowed by the former actress’s television series, which she began filming at a rented house in Montecito last week. Netflix said the show would ‘celebrate the joys of cooking and gardening, entertaining and friendship’.
READ MORE: Meghan’s new podcast partners Lemonada: Female-founded start-up whose mission is to ‘make life suck less’ with shows on ‘Being Trans’ and ‘Burnout’
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Lemonada is said to be concerned that there would also be ‘scheduling conflicts’ between the launch of its podcasts and that of Meghan’s lifestyle brand, American Riviera Orchard.
A spokesman for Meghan declined to comment, but sources claim she had a list of ‘very high-profile guests’ scheduled to participate in her new podcasts.
Guests on her series of 12 podcasts for Spotify included Wimbledon champion Serena Williams, pop star Mariah Carey, and Sex and the City author Candace Bushnell.
Bill Simmons, Spotify’s head of podcast innovation and monetisation, blasted the Duke and Duchess as ‘f****** grifters’ just hours after their reported £15million deal was axed last summer. The damning putdown is an American term for people ‘who engage in petty or small-scale swindling’.
He ranted: ‘I’ve got to get drunk one night and tell the story of the Zoom I had with Harry to try and help him with a podcast idea. It’s one of my best stories.’
Meghan said in February that she was ‘overjoyed’ to be joining Lemonada, which describes itself as an ‘award-winning, independent…podcast network, with a mission to make life suck less’
Lemonada is said to be concerned that there would also be ‘scheduling conflicts’ between the launch of its podcasts and that of Meghan’s lifestyle brand, American Riviera Orchard (pictured: strawberry jam from the new brand)
Bill Simmons (pictured), Spotify’s head of podcast innovation and monetisation, blasted the Duke and Duchess as ‘f****** grifters’ just hours after their reported £15million deal was axed last summer
It is understood that Lemonada did not want the podcast’s launch to be overshadowed by the former actress’s television series. Netflix said the show would ‘celebrate the joys of cooking and gardening, entertaining and friendship’ (pictured: the couple in Los Angeles in 2020)
Guests on her series of 12 Archetypes podcasts for Spotify included pop star Mariah Carey, and Sex and the City author Candace Bushnell
Wimbledon champion Serena Williams also featured on the Spotify series
Meghan added: ‘Our plan to re-release Archetypes so that more people can now have access to it, as well as launching a dynamic new podcast, are well in the works. I’m so eager to be able to share it soon’
The couple produced less than 13 hours of content during the three-year partnership: 12 episodes of Meghan’s Archetypes show, and a 30-minute Christmas special featuring both the Duke and Duchess.
Meghan said in February that she was ‘overjoyed’ to be joining Lemonada, which describes itself as an ‘award-winning, independent…podcast network, with a mission to make life suck less’. She added: ‘Our plan to re-release Archetypes so that more people can now have access to it, as well as launching a dynamic new podcast, are well in the works. I’m so eager to be able to share it soon.’
Just not that soon…
READ MORE -Archetypes cover is updated to include Lemonada Media label as the series becomes available on all platforms after Duchess parted ways with Spotify
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Archetypes, Meghan’s original Spotify show, had around one million listens per episode and debuted as Spotify’s No. 1 podcast in 47 countries around the world when it launched in August 2022.
The series explored the labels that try to hold women back and included guests such as Mariah Carey, Jameela Jamil and Pamela Adlon.
It won a People’s Choice Award for The Pop Podcast of 2022 and the Duchess won best entertainment podcast host at the Gracie Awards.
In a statement about her new podcast, Meghan said previously: ‘Being able to support a female-founded company with a roster of thought provoking and highly entertaining podcasts is a fantastic way to kick off 2024.
‘Our plan to re-release ‘Archetypes’ so that more people can now have access to it, as well as launching a dynamic new podcast are well in the works. I’m so eager to be able to share it soon, and am overjoyed to be joining the Lemonada family.’
Cordova Kramer, from Lemonada, said at the time: ‘We are beyond honored that Meghan has trusted us to help democratize access to Archetypes, and that so many more people around the world will have access to the series soon.
Meghan’s podcast was not renewed for a second season with Spotify – but season one has now come to all streaming platforms
Meghan Markle’s Archetypes podcast was launched with a new cover (pictured)
Meghan Markle ‘s close friend and former Suits co-star Abigail Spencer is one of the lucky 50 to have received a limited edition jar of the Duchess’ new American Riviera Orchard jam
Abigail, 42, was gifted the sixth jar in the batch, she revealed today in an over-the-top photoshoot that showcased her reclining in the grass with the precious preserve
‘Meghan’s talent as host, creator and conversationalist is unparalleled and we are thrilled to co-create a new series with her that fosters her approach to creating art that matters.’
receive an actual ‘yes’ from Princess Catherine and Lady Anne respectively.
