Taylor Swift ‘snubbed’ Meghan Markle’s podcast invite

As Taylor Swift “turned down” Meghan Markle’s invitation to appear on her axed podcast, Netflix reportedly described the couple’s output on the streamer “subpar”.

Taylor Swift turned down Meghan Markle’s handwritten request to appear on her axed Spotify podcast, it has been claimed.

The superstar singer, currently in the midst of a world tour, was asked to appear on Archetypes by the Duchess of Sussex but reportedly said no through her management, the Wall Street Journal reported.

Taylor Swift turned down Meghan Markle’s offer to be on her Archetypes podcast. Picture: Getty Images

It is unclear what Swift said in her response to the former actress.

It comes as the Sussexes suffered a major blow to their brand when their multimillion-dollar deal with Spotify ended last week after they produced just one 12-episode podcast series in three years.

Their deal with Netflix is also reportedly on shaky ground. The Wall Street Journal reported that a Netflix source described the Sussexes dealings with the streaming giant as “big ideas, subpar execution” after executives of the streamer and Spotify reportedly said they were “underwhelmed” by the pair’s lack of strong ideas and productivity.

Meghan Markle’s Archetypes podcast is no more. Picture: Spotify

The couple’s Netflix deal ends in 2025.

The couple’s overall deal with Spotify – including Meghan’s Archetypes podcast – was dumped last week, with the Sussexes potentially losing out on a $35 million payout.

The axing was confirmed in a joint statement from Archewell Audio, the couple’s content creation label, and the streaming giant.

“Spotify and Archewell Audio have mutually agreed to part ways and are proud of the series we made together,” the statement read.

Netflix is reportedly unhappy with the Sussexes’ “subpar execution” in the ideas they’ve come up with for the streamer. Picture: Netflix

It means there will be no second series of Archetypes, which ran for 12 episodes from August 2022.

In the podcast, Meghan discussed the history of stereotypes levelled against women with her famous friends, such tennis legend Serena Williams and singer Mariah Carey.

Meghan’s LA talent agency WME – who signed her on in April – said the team behind Archetypes “remain proud” of the podcast they created at Spotify.

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

Meghan Markle featured a series of friends, including Serena Williams, on her podcast. Picture: Instagram

Archewell are reportedly in ongoing discussions to get their content on other providers’ services, a person close to discussions told the Wall Street Journal.

The couple have reportedly been told to come up with more must-watch shows for Netflix if they want to be paid $76 million in outstanding fees, it is claimed.

The couple’s six-part docu-series was the streaming giant’s most-viewed documentary but the pair have been paid only half of their reported $150 million contract.

Reports are circulating that Netflix won’t extend the couple’s deal after it ends in 2025. Picture: AFP

And they will get the rest only if they produce content of real interest, an industry source has revealed.

It has been confirmed, however, that the pair are currently creating a Great Expectations-inspired show for Netflix called Bad Manners.

Described as a prequel to the Charles Dickens classic, the show retells the story of a lonely Miss Haversham living in a patriarchal society.

The Sun reports that the US giant is happy with the viewing figures for the couple’s Harry & Meghan series.

(Team Sussex are feeling the pressure. Picture: AFP

An industry source said of the Netflix arrangement: “There’s no question of a headline-grabbing, public parting of the way.

“Netflix was pleased to sign Harry and Meghan and is looking for some great ideas going forward.

“But the remainder of the deal relies on them producing those good ideas.

“The deal’s continually under review which is normal for ones of this magnitude.”

Since quitting their royal duties in 2020 and jetting off to California to live in their new $20 million nine-bedroom mansion, the couple have been building a complex network of “entertainment” companies to help promote “their truth”.

– with The Sun

Originally published as Taylor Swift ‘snubbed’ Meghan Markle’s podcast invite