Meghan Markle's Spotify podcast "Archetypes" boasts of a guest list featuring notable personalities such as Serena Williams, Paris Hilton, and Mariah Carey. However, it's been reported that one star declined the royal invite - Taylor Swift.
According to The Wall Street Journal, Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, enlisted Swift as a prospective guest during a creative session with Spotify's Gimlet team. It has been reported that Meghan personally invited the singer of the hit "Midnights," who subsequently declined the invitation through her representative. Confirmation or comment from either party has yet to surface on this matter.
Markle's podcast, a 12-episode series, was launched in August 2022, in alignment with an exclusive, multi-year deal she and Prince Harry secured with Spotify under their Archewell Audio entity. The only other content produced under this contract since its 2020 inception was a holiday special.
There won't be a second season of "Archetypes," as the Sussexes' relationship with Spotify is now severed. Speculation has been rife that a lack of productivity led to the company terminating the partnership and withholding the entirety of the reported $20 million deal. However, a joint statement from both parties revealed a "mutual agreement to part ways" and expressed their collective pride in the jointly created series.
Markle's talent agency, WME, which signed her earlier this year, confirmed the conclusion of the contract but hinted at future content from the Duchess on an alternative platform. "The team behind 'Archetypes' remain proud of the podcast they created at Spotify. Meghan is continuing to develop more content for the Archetypes audience on another platform," a spokesperson commented. Rumors are afloat that Archewell Audio may be shifting its operations to Amazon, although no official confirmation has been provided.
The Sussexes' Netflix deal is also purportedly in jeopardy. The couple signed in 2020 to generate original content under their Archewell Productions banner. However, only two docuseries, "Harry & Meghan" and "Live to Lead," were released in December 2022. The streaming giant cancelled their animated series "Pearl" prior to pre-production and another docuseries, "Heart of Invictus," is slated for release this summer. This film documents the experiences of the participants in the 2022 Invictus Games hosted in The Hague.
WSJ reported that Netflix has no plans to renew the Sussexes' contract, which is due to end in 2025, citing unnamed sources who claimed the streaming service was unsatisfied with the couple's productivity.
Despite pitching multiple ideas, it appears that the Sussexes' only successful projects have been those telling their own stories, while other concepts similar to existing Netflix programming were turned down. A representative for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex addressed the alterations in the company's plans as a regular occurrence in start-up ventures, stating, "New companies often make changes in their start-up phase, both with people and strategy, and we are no exception. We're more equipped, focused, and energised than ever before."
Netflix spokesperson contradicted claims about the company's relationship with the couple, informing WSJ of their continued collaboration with Archewell Productions. The streaming service has defended its partnership with the royal couple in the past, specifically dismissing rumors that it cancelled the docuseries "Heart of Invictus," assuring audiences that it's set to air this summer, with a release date pending.
