Although a joint statement from Spotify and Prince Harry and Meghan Markle‘s Archewell Audio production company made it seem like Meghan’s Archetypes podcast coming to an end after just one season was a mutual decision, it actually doesn’t seem like that’s the case.
According to newer reports, it looks like the Duchess of Sussex’s Spotify podcast – which had A-list guests such as Mariah Carey, Serena Williams, and Paris Hilton on it – was cancelled by Spotify, and the decision to “part ways” was more one sided than was initially let on. And now we may finally know why!
Why Was Meghan Markle's Spotify Podcast Cancelled?
As per Page Six, Spotify's CEO Daniel Ek hinted that the 42-year-old former Suits actress's podcast simply wasn’t as much of a hit with listeners as the platform originally thought and hoped it would be.
"We thought new innovation was needed to happen here," Ek said. "We thought we can come in and offer a great experience that both makes consumers very happy and allows new creators new avenues. And the truth of the matter is, some of it has worked, some of it hasn’t. We’re learning from those and we are moving on."
Ek didn’t seem to have anything bad to say about the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, adding: "We wish all of the ones we didn’t renew with the best of success they can have going forward."
Back in July, Closer reported that some insiders suggested that it wasn’t quite as amicable as Ek is making out, as the mom-of-two allegedly felt attacked by Bill Simmons, the Head of Podcast Innovation and Monetization at Spotify. If you'll recall, Simmons branded the Sussexes as "[expletive] grifters" on his own podcast, which Meghan reportedly found "humiliating."
The insider told the mag at the time: "Meghan is distraught over this Spotify snub and the fallout that has followed. It’s totally knocked her sideways." The insider added that Meghan "can’t believe she’s been attacked so viciously and so publicly by one of their execs, and to be labeled 'grifters' is an utterly humiliating and gut-wrenching all-time low."
