Nude truth Here’s why Spotify’s CEO says Meghan Markle’s show failed
When royalty and the digital world collide, sparks are bound to fly. So, what really happened between Prince Harry, Meghan Markle, and the streaming behemoth, Spotify?
Rewind to December 2020: The Duke and Duchess of Sussex sign a deal with Spotify under their company, Archewell Audio. Fast forward to two and a half years later, and we’ve only got 12 episodes under their belt. This spotty performance prompted many to wonder, including BBC’s Zoe Kleinman, whether the partnership was worth its hefty $20M tag. Was this ambitious venture a mismatch from the start?
Daniel Ek, Spotify’s CEO, shared in an interview that the goal was always to innovate and provide new creators avenues to reach audiences. While some endeavors hit the mark, others, like this royal partnership, missed. In a candid admission, Ek acknowledged that not all their choices panned out, wishing the non-renewed talents success in their future endeavors. But does that mean there were nude photos of Meghan swirling around?
Let’s dive into the nude truth of it all and see how and why this deal didn’t turn out as planned.
The Podcast that Could Have Been
Meghan Markle, with her passion for breaking stereotypes, launched “Archetypes” in August 2022. It was not just any debut; she kicked things off with tennis powerhouse Serena Williams.
Meghan candidly discussed the backlash she received for being an ambitious woman, especially since joining the royal family. She expressed her empathy for countless women who have been made to feel “smaller” because of societal expectations.
Despite its potential, only 12 episodes of “Archetypes” were produced, featuring stars like Mariah Carey, Mindy Kaling, and Paris Hilton. Though it became a chart-topper in multiple countries upon release, it still won’t see a second season. Inside sources confirm that Archewell Audio didn’t produce enough content to justify the original deal’s value.
Royal Plans Derailed
However, this isn’t the end for Harry and Meghan’s foray into the media world. The two signed a jaw-dropping $100 million deal with Netflix in 2020. Their docuseries, “Harry & Meghan,” turned out to be a massive hit. Furthermore, Prince Harry stunned the world with his memoir, “Spare,” launched in January. Meanwhile, Meghan, the former star of Suits, might pivot towards TV and film production roles in the future.
The royal couple’s podcast deal hasn’t resonated well with everyone, especially musicians. Icons like Paul McCartney and Kate Bush have expressed concerns over the inequities in streaming payments. Many artists claim they receive less than a penny per stream.
Up-and-coming artists like Callum Gardner and Harrison Rhys have openly shared their frustrations with the platform’s payment system. Gardner mentions never breaking even from his Spotify streams, while Rhys calls the deal with the Duke and Duchess “an unethical kick in the teeth.”
Musicians’ Union’s deputy general secretary, Naomi Pohl, emphasized the need for change, pointing out that most streaming revenues benefit corporations rather than the actual artists.
So, What’s Next?
The collaboration between the Sussexes and Spotify might have reached its final note, but this saga brings forward bigger questions. In an era where digital platforms hold significant sway, how can we ensure that all creators, big or small, get their fair share of the pie? And were there any nude photos of Meghan? The jury’s still out on that one.
As listeners, how do we support the artists and creators we love? And as we tune into our favorite podcasts and tracks, we might just have to ask ourselves: Where do we draw the line between business and artistry?
