Last December, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle signed a huge contract with Spotify to produce podcasts. In seven months the couple has only produced one show, they have just hired a new collaborator to accompany them in their work.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle signed a contract with Spotify last December. In exchange for 18 million pounds, or more than 21 million euros, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex agreed to provide content to the audio platform as part of a podcast called Archewell. The problem? In more than seven months, the couple has finally produced only one show of less than 35 minutes.
A low output that makes you cringe. Especially since, following the birth of Lilibet, the young parents announced that they would take 20 weeks of parental leave. “We’re told they have five months of leave. People who offer them a lot of money will expect something in return,” warned Phil Dampier, a journalist specializing in the royal family, in The Sun.
The newspaper also claimed that “the couple will receive the full £18 million once they have completed their duties”. But the pace could well accelerate in the coming months since, according to the Daily Mail, Meghan Markle and Harry, who could soon be back in England, have hired a new collaborator.
It is the producer Rebecca Sananes. She will support them in their partnership with Spotify from August. The young woman will work in collaboration with the head of content of Archewell, Ben Browning. Rebecca Sananes is no stranger to podcasts, having previously worked as a producer for Pivot, New York Magazine and the Vox Media show.
The first episode was not unanimously approved
The first episode of Meghan and Harry’s podcast was unveiled on December 30. A moment for which the Sussexes had invited Elton John, but also the host James Corden and the actor Tyler Perry. Guests of mark which had however not prevented the criticisms. Some listeners had judged this first episode “dull and preachy”. On Twitter, the couple had also been the target of attacks: “I just listened to Meghan and Harry’s podcast. I think I’m going to be sick” or “2020 was hard. I’m not sure a podcast featuring the struggles of the rich and famous is what we need.”
Photo credits: AGENCY / BESTIMAGE