‘Turns out Meghan Markle was not a great audio talent, or necessarily any kind of talent’: Hollywood talent agency supremo Jeremy Zimmer dismisses Duchess as a talentless broadcaster after Spotify axed its £18m deal with the Sussexes

 

The Duchess of Sussex has been dismissed as a talentless broadcaster by one of Hollywood’s most powerful figures.

Jeremy Zimmer, who has guided the film careers of stars such as Benedict Cumberbatch and Damian Lewis, gave his withering verdict on the abilities of the American former actress after streaming giant Spotify axed its £18million deal with her and Prince Harry after just one podcast series.

Zimmer, the chief executive of United Talent Agency, said he was not surprised that Spotify had ditched the couple.

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‘Turns out Meghan Markle was not a great audio talent, or necessarily any kind of talent,’ he said.

Speaking to the news website Semafor at the Cannes Lions advertising festival in France, Zimmer added. ‘And, you know, just because you’re famous, doesn’t make you great at something.’

Despite sending a personal letter herself, Meghan Markle's (pictured) request for Taylor Swift to join her on her Archetypes podcast was declined
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Despite sending a personal letter herself, Meghan Markle’s (pictured) request for Taylor Swift to join her on her Archetypes podcast was declined

Spotify is said to have pulled the plug on its deal because it ‘expected more content’ from the Duke and Duchess of Sussex and their Archewell Audio team, according to Variety magazine.

Archewell delivered just one series – 12 episodes of Meghan’s Archetypes show last year on the social stereotypes around women – and a 30-minute festive special in 2020 featuring a handful of celebrity friends and their son, Archie.

Archetypes was an initial ratings success when it was released last summer and talks for a second series were said to be under way before they reportedly stalled. Spotify was said to have paid a staggering £18million to sign the Sussexes up for a ‘multi-year partnership’.

The Sussexes highlighted a joint statement from themselves and Spotify saying they had ‘mutually agreed to part ways’.

Yesterday, it was claimed that pop superstar Taylor Swift rejected the chance to appear on Meghan’s podcast, even though the duchess sent her a personal invitation.

Jeremy Zimmer, the chief executive of United Talent Agency, said he was not surprised that Spotify had ditched the Sussexes
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Jeremy Zimmer, the chief executive of United Talent Agency, said he was not surprised that Spotify had ditched the Sussexes

After Meghan sent her a handwritten note, Ms Swift declined through her representative, according to the Wall Street Journal.

And while the couple’s £80million Netflix deal has still seen only a documentary about themselves and series Live To Lead materialise, it appears they are about to delve into the world of Charles Dickens.

The Sussexes are said to be working on a prequel to his 1861 novel Great Expectations, which focuses on a character based on Miss Havisham, taking place before the events of the novel. Bad Manners will see the character cast as a ‘strong woman living in a patriarchal society’. The show is in development but has yet to get the green light from Netflix, it has been claimed.

Harry’s documentary about the Invictus Games is thought to be nearing completion.

Meghan and Harry attending the 2022 Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Ripple of Hope Gala at New York Hilton on December 6, 2022
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Meghan and Harry attending the 2022 Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Ripple of Hope Gala at New York Hilton on December 6, 2022

According to the Wall Street Journal, it is ‘unlikely’ Netflix will renew the couple’s deal when it ends in 2025. It reports that problems have arisen due to the couple’s inexperience as television producers and difficulty in finding material to fit in with their brand.

A spokesman for the talent agency WME that recently signed Meghan 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.’

Zimmer is the grandson of legendary Hollywood studio chief Dory Schary.

In 1991 he helped found United Talent Agency through a merger of Bauer/Benedek and Leading Artists Agency.

He helped build UTA from a boutique literary agency into one of the three major talent agencies and has been CEO since 2012.

The talent agency represents stars such as Timothée Chalamet, Chris Pratt, Kevin Hart and Lizzo.

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