Meghan Markle's Groundbreaking Podcast Journey Reaches New Heights as Spotify Deal Concludes

Meghan Markle Kristin Callahan/Shutterstock

Spotify and Archewell Audio have decided to go their separate ways after the success of Meghan Markle's podcast, "Archetypes." The streaming platform and the couple's company, Archewell Audio, released a joint statement expressing their pride in the series they created together.

A representative from WME talent agency, who the Duchess of Sussex signed with earlier this year, expressed Meghan's pride in her work in a statement to the Wall Street Journal. The representative stated that the team behind Archetypes is still proud of the podcast they created on Spotify. Furthermore, Meghan is currently working on developing more content for the Archetypes audience on a different platform.

After stepping down from their roles as senior members of the royal family, Meghan and Harry signed a $20 million deal with Spotify in late 2020. The partnership with Archewell Audio aimed to produce programming that uplifts and entertains audiences worldwide, as well as highlight diverse perspectives and voices according to the brand's website.

In its debut in August 2022, Meghan's podcast quickly gained popularity and became a sensation among fans. Within days of its premiere, the podcast claimed the top spot in the United States, United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, and Canada.

Throughout its first season, which consisted of 12 episodes, Meghan engaged in insightful conversations with an array of notable guests. These included renowned figures such as Mariah Carey, Serena Williams, Paris Hilton, Andy Cohen, and many others.

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry MEGA

In her last episode, the author of Bench expressed her gratitude to her dedicated listeners who played a significant role in making "Archetypes" a truly enriching journey. She extended her heartfelt appreciation, stating, "I am sincerely grateful for your support and for joining me in this transformative and enjoyable experience." Meghan further offered an uplifting quote from the renowned Greek poet Christianopoulos, resonating with the idea of breaking free from societal constraints and defying the limitations of preconceived notions that fail to capture the entirety of one's true self.

The empowering content of the podcast resonated with listeners, leading to its recognition and a trophy at the 2022 People's Choice Awards. Meghan graciously accepted the honor and expressed her gratitude through a statement posted on the Archewell website.

"I thoroughly enjoyed immersing myself in the process, spending late nights in bed, dedicated to writing and unleashing my creativity. Engaging in deep and meaningful conversations with my diverse and inspiring guests, laughing and learning alongside them, and knowing that each of you were listening, brought me immense joy," she expressed. "This project has been a labor of love, made possible by an incredible team who played a vital role in bringing this series to life."

The news of Harry and Meghan's departure from Spotify follows the recent announcement by the company that it plans to lay off 200 employees as part of a podcast division restructuring initiative.