Spotify has cut ties with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, cancelling their podcast 'Archetypes' and potentially costing the couple $10 million, but the couple says that's fine because the two are focused on their philanthropy projects.
Namely their patronage for Smart Works, a charity dedicated to giving women the "confidence" needed in order to "change the trajectory of their lives".
After meeting with the company's CEO, the organisation's leader read a message from Meghan praising the charity for their support to "countless women."
In the message, the mum-of-two said: "I've always been proud to be a Patron of this charity because clients are given so much more than just a wardrobe for their interviews; they are also given skills and confidence that can last a lifetime."
"Know that for every moment you invest in being a Client Champion, you are investing in the future of women. You have limitless potential to create positive change, and there are countless women who will benefit from your support," Meghan's statement said.
Meghan started championing Smart Works in 2019, as a member of the royal family. In addition to donations, she often visited with organizers and completed numerous visits to their centres. Now, the American-based former actress will focus her attention on becoming a spokesperson for their work.
This announcement comes on the back of a statement from the royal couple and Netflix, explaining that 'Archetypes,' the podcast written and recorded by the couple, will not be renewed for a second season.
The release read: “Spotify and Archewell Audio have mutually agreed to part ways and are proud of the series we made together.”
Sources for the Wall Street Journal claim that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex did not meet the productivity benchmark required to receive the agreed-upon payout in their 2020 deal.
Meghan wrote on the couple’s Archewell website: “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 a meaningful conversation with my diverse and inspiring guests, laughing and learning with them.“It has been such a labour of love,” she added.
She chatted to celebrities, historians and experts about the history of stereotypes levelled against women.
Archetypes ran for 12 episodes from August last year. The Duchess of Sussex interviewed the likes of tennis star Serena Williams, singer Mariah Carey, Paris Hilton and actors Mindy Kaling and Constance Wu.
Harry and Meghan signed a lucrative deal with the audio streaming giant to host and produce podcasts, estimated to be worth around $25million (£18 million), in late 2020.
Archetypes won the top podcast award at the People’s Choice Award in Los Angeles in December.
Archetypes was launched with the aim of investigating "labels that try to hold women back" through conversations between Meghan and historians, experts and women who have experienced being typecast.
Earlier this year, the Duchess of Sussex was awarded a Gracie Award for her Spotify podcast.
Tennis star Serena Williams, singer Mariah Carey, Paris Hilton and actors Mindy Kaling and Constance Wu were among the guests.
The joint statement from Archwell and Spotify said: “Spotify and Archewell Audio have mutually agreed to part ways and are proud of the series we made together.”
The cancellation of Markle's podcast has revived rumours that the former actress will relaunch her popular lifestyle blog, 'The Tig,' as other Hollywooders have found success with similar endeavours.
The announcement also comes as Spotify makes massive layoffs, announcing a change in its approach to podcasting. Last week the company laid off 200 people, including many audio engineers, as the site focuses on offering creator tools to podcasters rather than making its original content.
Additionally, reports claiming the Sussexes plan to "stop" making tell-all Netflix documentaries, publishing memoirs and taking part in interviews discussing the royal family because there is "nothing left to say" as the couple seeks to replace their "era of visibility" with a "year of reconciliation."
