Harry and Meghan are ‘grifters’, says Spotify executive

London: The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have been called “f---ing grifters” by a Spotify boss after their reputed £15.5 million ($29 million) Spotify podcast deal was dropped after one series.

Archetypes was first broadcast in August last year and shot up the podcast charts, but as its popularity waned, talks about a second series are said to have “stalled for months”.

Spotify last week cut the Archetypes podcast made by Prince Harry and Meghan’s production company.Credit: AP

On Friday, the Sussexes’ Archewell charity and the streaming giant said in a joint statement that they had “mutually agreed to part ways and are proud of the series we made together”.

Bill Simmons, a senior podcasting executive at Spotify, has since launched a rant about the couple.

In an episode of his own podcast on Friday, he said: “The f---ing grifters. That’s the podcast we should have launched with them.

“I’ve got to get drunk one night and tell the story of the Zoom I had with Harry to try and help him with a podcast idea. It’s one of my best stories. The grifters.”

‘So embarrassed’

Simmons, who founded sports/pop culture website and podcast network The Ringer, has also previously reportedly said he is “so embarrassed” that he has to “share Spotify with him”.

He also said on a previous podcast episode in January: “Shoot this guy to the sun. I’m so tired of this guy. What does he bring to the table?

“He just whines about shit and keeps giving interviews. Who gives a shit? Who cares about your life? You weren’t even like the favourite son... Nobody cares.”

He added in the rant about Prince Harry on The Bill Simmons Podcast: “What does he do? What’s your talent? Why are we listening to you? So you were born into the royal family and then you left. What are you good at?”

Archetypes was released weekly and ran for 12 episodes, each focused on the different labels and stereotypes levelled against women.

Among the high-profile guests were Meghan’s friend and tennis star Serena Williams and singer Mariah Carey.

Lucrative deals

The Sussexes signed a multi-year Spotify deal, estimated to be worth around $US20 million, in 2020, shortly after leaving the UK.

Bill SimmonsCredit: Getty

It followed a similarly lucrative deal with Netflix, rumoured to be worth more than £100 million ($187 million).

Their son, Prince Archie, made a high-profile cameo in a “holiday special” released in December 2020, when he was coaxed into uttering his first public words and showcased a distinctly American twang and an endearing giggle.

Spotify last week laid off 200 people, including many audio engineers, and is said to be revamping its approach to podcasting.

The Telegraph has contacted the Sussexes for comment on Simmons’ remarks.

Earlier this week, following the podcast deal ending, their spokesman said: “The team behind Archetypes remain proud of the podcast they created at Spotify.

“Meghan is continuing to develop more content for the Archetypes audience on another platform.”

The Telegraph, London

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