Following the termination of Meghan Markle's $20 million podcast deal with Spotify, questions have arisen regarding her involvement in the production of "Archetypes." Reports suggest that Markle's contributions to the twelve-episode series were minimal, with staff allegedly conducting interviews and editing her voice into the final product.

These allegations gained traction after Spotify executive Bill Simmons publicly referred to Markle and Prince Harry as "grifters" on his podcast. Simmons expressed his desire to have been involved in the Spotify-Archewell separation negotiations, suggesting a contentious split.

Sources claim that Markle's questions were often inserted into interviews conducted by other staff members. This practice was hinted at in 2022 when a writer praised an "Archetypes" producer for her interviewing skills, leading to speculation that Markle's involvement was limited. Spotify's chief economist, Will Page, also commented on the seemingly disproportionate compensation Markle received for the limited content produced, comparing it to the earnings of popular songs on the platform.

While a joint statement from Archewell and Spotify described the parting as mutual, insiders suggest that Archewell will not receive the full $20 million due to insufficient content creation. Archewell has not yet responded to requests for comment on these allegations.