A top Spotify podcast executive referred to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle as ‘f*cking Grifters’ after they created only one 13-episode series of a podcast for the firm and then parted. Bill Simmons Spotify’s head of podcast innovation blasted Prince Harry and Meghan Markle on his show on Friday as “F-king grifters.”
The Sussexes and Spotify acknowledged their split on Thursday, three years after signing a rumored $20 million deal for their production company, Archewell. The agreement was part of Spotify’s increased investment in podcasting, which included the roughly $200 million Ringer acquisition.
More lately, the audio behemoth has pared back and laid off personnel, merging divisions and emphasising the creator economy over big-ticket talent, but Joe Rogan and a few other renowned presenters remain on its podcast roster, Deadline reports.
Simmons made the remarks on his eponymous show, while still running the Ringer and serving as Spotify’s Head of show Innovation and Monetization.
“The f*cking swindlers.” “That’s the podcast we should’ve started with them,” he explained. “I need to get drunk one night and tell Harry about the Zoom I had with him to help him come up with a podcast idea.” It’s one of my favourite stories.”
The statements were initially reported by The Big Lead on Twitter (see below).
Archetypes, a podcast hosted by Markle, was one of Archewell’s podcasts. The show investigated the cultural influences that have hampered women’s advancement and featured guests such as Trevor Noah, Mariah Carey, Mindy Kaling, and Serena Williams. It was not renewed for a second season, however it could return on another platform.
Last April, Markle signed with WME, which also represents Archewell.
Even though the royal couple was under contract with Spotify, Simmons did not keep his mouth shut about them. He called Prince Harry’s association with the same corporation “embarrassing” last January.
“Shoot this guy to the sun,” Simmons complained in the Big Lead piece. “I’m sick of this guy. What brings he to the table? He just whines about nonsense and continues to do interviews. What does it matter? Who is interested in your life? You weren’t even the preferred son. You live in f*cking Montecito and only sell documentaries and podcasts, and nobody cares what you have to say about anything except the royal family, about whom you only whine.”
2023: Prince Harry And Meghan Markle Part Ways With Spotify
https://www.vornews.com/world/2023meghan-markle-spotify-podcast/
