EDEN CONFIDENTIAL: Why Meghan’s new podcast has hit a snag before it even begins
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex were damningly described as ‘f*****g grifters’ by a Spotify executive for hours after the parting of ways between them and the audio giant was announced last year.
So I’m sorry to hear that Meghan’s new deal with a much smaller podcast company is struggling to get out of the starting blocks.
Prince Harry’s wife announced amid much fanfare in February that she had signed a deal with Lemonada Media, a female-founded company that wants to “make life less sucking.”
The Duchess, who produced just 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 no work is expected to be broadcast this year. “The relaunch of Meghan’s Archetypes podcast has been postponed until 2025,” the California-based source said.
The Duchess of Sussex (pictured) announced amid much fanfare in February that she had signed a deal with Lemonada Media, a female-founded company that wants to “make life less shitty,” writes Richard Eden.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex (pictured, May 2023) were damningly described as ‘f*****g grifters’ by a Spotify executive after the parting of ways between them and the audio giant was announced last year
The Duchess, who produced just 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 no work is expected to be broadcast this year. ‘The relaunch of Meghan’s Archetypes podcast has been postponed until 2025,’ says California-based source (Pictured: The Sussexes in April)
A spokesperson for Meghan would not comment, but sources claim she had a list of “very high-profile guests” who would take part in her new podcasts
It’s clear that Lemonada didn’t want the podcast’s launch to be overshadowed by the former actress’s television series, which she began filming last week at a rental home in Montecito. Netflix said the show would “celebrate the joys of cooking and gardening, entertainment and friendship.”
Lemonada is said to be concerned that there would also be “scheduling conflicts” between the launch of his podcasts and that of Meghan’s lifestyle brand, American Riviera Orchard.
A spokesperson for Meghan would not comment, but sources claim she had a list of “very high-profile guests” who would take part in her new podcasts.
Guests on her series of twelve 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 monetization, branded the Duke and Duchess “f****** fraudsters” just hours after their reported £15 million deal was scrapped last summer. The devastating putdown is an American term for people ‘engaged in minor or small-scale scams’.
He ranted: “I have to get drunk one night and tell the story of the Zoom I had with Harry to help him with a podcast idea. It’s one of my best stories.’
Meghan said in February that she was “overjoyed” to join Lemonada, which describes itself as an “award-winning, independent podcast network, on a mission to make life less suck.”
Bill Simmons (pictured), Spotify’s head of podcast innovation and monetization, branded the Duke and Duchess ‘f****** fraudsters’ just hours after their reported £15million deal was scrapped last summer
It’s clear that Lemonada didn’t want the podcast’s launch to be overshadowed by the former actress’ television series. Netflix said the show would ‘celebrate the joys of cooking and gardening, entertainment and friendship’ (pictured: the couple in Los Angeles in 2020)
Guests on her series of twelve Archetypes podcasts for Spotify included pop star Mariah Carey and Sex and the City author Candace Bushnell
Wimbledon champion Serena Williams was also featured in the Spotify series
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 (photo: strawberry jam from the new brand)
Meghan added: ‘Our plan to re-release Archetypes so more people can access it now, and to launch a dynamic new podcast, are in the works. I really want 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 join Lemonada, which describes itself as an “award-winning, independent…podcast network, on a mission to make life less suck.” She added, “Our plan to re-release Archetypes so more people can access it now, and to launch a dynamic new podcast, are in the works.” I so want to share it soon.”
Just not that fast…