Meghan Markle’s podcast, "Archetypes," has come under fire for its focus on celebrity guests, drawing criticism from notable figures such as US celebrity blogger Perez Hilton. Despite the backlash, the Duchess of Sussex remains committed to her podcasting endeavors, announcing a new partnership with Lemonada Media and plans for future projects.

During an appearance on Kinsey Schofield's YouTube channel, Perez Hilton shared his thoughts on "Archetypes," which featured high-profile guests like Serena Williams, Mariah Carey, and Constance Wu. Hilton criticized the podcast for not aligning with its purported mission of championing women's issues. "I thought it was hilarious because she claims to be this champion of women and for the people, yet every guest, if not then the overwhelming majority of guests, were celebrities," Hilton said. "Why are you doing this thing about women, yet we're only hearing the voices of the rich and famous?"

Schofield concurred, noting that the podcast was "a struggle" to listen to. Despite the criticism, Hilton acknowledged the couple's enduring appeal. "Yes, I think American Riviera Orchard will be very successful because while a lot of people don't like Harry and Meghan, a lot of people do like them," Hilton added, referring to their broader brand ventures.

The podcast’s focus on celebrity guests has also been highlighted by royal commentator Kinsey Schofield, who warned that another memoir or podcast could further damage Harry’s chances of reconciliation with the royal family. Schofield mentioned, "I hope he wouldn't pursue this if he has any desire whatsoever of a real reconciliation. I think it would just jeopardize any hope of that in the future."

Despite the criticism, Meghan’s podcast achieved notable success during its initial run on Spotify. "Archetypes" topped Spotify's podcast charts in 47 countries and won an award at the 48th Gracie Awards, which celebrate outstanding programming and women in news and entertainment. However, the partnership between Meghan, Harry, and Spotify concluded after just 12 episodes.

In February, Meghan announced a new collaboration with Lemonada Media, expressing her enthusiasm for joining a company founded by women. "Our plan to re-release Archetypes so more people can now have access to it, as well as launching a dynamic new podcast, is well in the works," Meghan said. "I’m so eager to be able to share it soon, and am overjoyed to be joining the Lemonada family."

The relaunch of "Archetypes" has been postponed to 2025, allowing Meghan to focus on her upcoming Netflix series about cooking, gardening, and friendship. An unnamed source told the Daily Mail, "The relaunch of Meghan's Archetypes podcast got pushed back to 2025."

The criticisms and delays surrounding "Archetypes" highlight the challenges Meghan faces in balancing her public image and personal projects. British fashion designer Julien Macdonald recently expressed his preference for Princess Kate over Meghan, adding to the public scrutiny.

As Meghan navigates her podcasting career and other ventures, the reception of her work remains mixed. While "Archetypes" has been successful in terms of listenership and accolades, its focus on celebrity voices has raised questions about its alignment with its stated mission. The future of Meghan’s podcasting efforts with Lemonada Media will be closely watched by both supporters and critics.