Photo: Spotify Podcasts/Instagram
Meghan MarkleandPrince Harryare parting ways withSpotify, PEOPLE can confirm.
A joint statement from the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s production company Archewell Audio and Spotify said: “Spotify and Archewell Audio have mutually agreed to part ways and are proud of the series we made together.”
A representative from WME, the talent agency that the Duchess of Sussexsigned with earlier this year, toldtheWall Street Journal, “The team behindArchetypesremain proud of the podcast they created at Spotify. Meghan is continuing to develop more content for theArchetypesaudience on another platform."
Archetypesaired 12 episodes last year.
“We’re working on other ways to keep the conversation going but just know that as we close out this season ofArchetypes, that I thank you. Thank you for listening and learning with me. This has been liberating and healing, and it’s been fun,” said Meghan, 41, during thefinal episode, which aired in November 2022.
She left listeners an encouraging message to “keep growing, and I’ll see on the flip side.”
Spotify
Meghan andPrince Harryannounced amulti-year partnershipbetween Spotify and their production company Archewell Audio in 2020 with the goal to “build community through shared experience, narratives and values.”
Meghan’s podcast aired in August 2022 and had asuccessful first seasonon Spotify. Two days after its premiere,Archetypeswas the number-one podcast in the United States, United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, and Canada on Spotify’sinternational charts.
Each episode of the podcast featureddifferent guests, includingSerena Williams,Mariah Carey, andParis Hilton, who all explored the stereotypes that hold women back with the Duchess of Sussex. The show evenwon a People’s Choice Awardfor pop podcast of 2022.
“Thank you to all the supporters and fans ofArchetypeswho voted for us for this special People’s Choice Award,” Meghan said in astatement on her Archewell siteat the time. “I loved digging my hands into the process, sitting up late at night in bed, working on the writing and creative. And I loved digging deep into meaningful conversation with my diverse and inspiring guests, laughing and learning with them, and with each of you listening.”
“It has been such a labor of love with an amazing team who were each instrumental in helping to bring this series to life,” Meghan added.
Meghan was also named a digital media national winner for the48th Annual Gracie Awardsfor her Spotify podcast in December 2022.
On June 5, Spotify announced they were cutting approximately200 employees, 2% of Spotify’s workforce, as they “recently embarked on the next phase of our podcast strategy.” A source close to the situation tells PEOPLE there’s no connection between the recent layoffs and Spotify parting ways with Meghan and Harry.
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After Meghan and Prince Harry stepped back from their working roles as members of the royal family in 2020, theysigned deals withNetflix and Spotify.
In December 2020, the pair debuted their podcasting skills with a two-minute audio clip.
“He has a podcast voice!” Meghan said after Harry gave an introduction.
The same month, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex released theirfirst podcast episode,a holiday special tied to the end of 2020 and the beginning of 2021.
The podcast episode’s celeb-filled lineup — including Elton John, Tyler Perry, Stacey Abrams, James Corden and more — also featured a special cameo: their then-19-month-old son, Archie. At the very end of the episode, Meghan and Harry had Archie take a turn on the microphone.
“You can speak into it,“Prince Harrytold Archie.
“Archie, is it fun?” Meghan said, to which Archie responds, “Fun?” Then Meghan repeats, “Fun!”
Archie even gave a special message to listeners — “Happy New Year!” — with help from his parents.
source: people.com
