Hollywood talent agency supremo Jeremy Zimmer dismisses Meghan as a talentless broadcaster
‘Turns out Meghan Markle wasn’t a major audio talent, or necessarily any talent at all’: Hollywood talent agency supremo Jeremy Zimmer dismisses Duchess as a talentless broadcaster after Spotify dropped its £18m deal with the Sussexes
The Duchess of Sussex has been dismissed as a talentless announcer by one of Hollywood’s most powerful figures.
Jeremy Zimmer, who has mentored the film careers of stars such as Benedict Cumberbatch and Damian Lewis, delivered his scathing verdict on the American former actress’s abilities after streaming giant Spotify dropped its £18 million deal with her and Prince Harry after just one podcast series.
Zimmer, the CEO of United Talent Agency, said he wasn’t surprised Spotify dumped the pair.
“Turns out Meghan Markle wasn’t a great audio talent, or necessarily any talent at all,” he said.
Zimmer told news website Semafor at the Cannes Lions advertising festival in France. “And you know, just because you’re famous doesn’t make you good at anything.”
Despite sending a personal letter herself, Meghan Markle (pictured) rejected Taylor Swift’s request to join her Archetypes podcast
Spotify, according to Variety magazine, pulled the plug on the deal because it “expected more content” from the Duke and Duchess of Sussex and their Archewell Audio team.
Archewell only delivered one series — 12 episodes of Meghan’s Archetypes show last year about the social stereotypes surrounding women — and a 2020 celebratory 30-minute special starring 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 are reportedly underway before they reportedly stalled. Spotify reportedly paid a whopping £18 million to sign the Sussexes to a ‘multi-year partnership’.
The Sussexes highlighted a joint statement from themselves and Spotify saying they had ‘mutually agreed to part ways’.
It was alleged yesterday that pop superstar Taylor Swift turned down the chance to appear on Meghan’s podcast, even though the Duchess had sent her a personal invitation.
United Talent Agency CEO Jeremy Zimmer said he wasn’t surprised Spotify dumped the Sussexes
After Meghan sent her a handwritten note, Ms. Swift declined through her rep, according to the Wall Street Journal.
And while the pair’s £80 million Netflix deal has still only netted them a documentary about themselves and the Live To Lead series, it looks like they’re about to delve into the world of Charles Dickens.
The Sussexes were 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 is claimed.
Harry’s documentary on the Invictus Games would be nearing completion.
Meghan and Harry attend the 2022 Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Ripple of Hope Gala at the New York Hilton on December 6, 2022
According to the Wall Street Journal, Netflix is ”unlikely” to renew the pair’s deal when it expires in 2025. It reports that problems have arisen due to the couple’s inexperience as television producers and the difficulty of finding material that fits their brand.
A spokesperson for the talent agency WME who recently signed Meghan said: “The team behind Archetypes remain proud of the podcast they created at Spotify. Meghan will continue to develop more content for the Archetypes audience on another platform.”
• To read Richard Eden’s scintillating social diary, Eden Confidential, buy the Daily Mail on Tuesday