Meghan Markle’s Podcast Sparks Controversy Over Labeling

In a recent discussion among royal experts, Meghan Markle's latest episode of her Archetypes podcast has ignited debate over its handling of controversial labels, particularly the term “Slut.”

Chief Royal Correspondent Jack Royston and Royal Commentator Kristen Mainzer weighed in on the episode, suggesting that Markle missed an opportunity to directly confront the stigma surrounding this label.

Instead of boldly addressing it, they argued that she approached the topic indirectly, which undermined the podcast's goal of empowering women.

Markle's Archetypes podcast aims to dissect and challenge the labels that society imposes on women.

In the inaugural episode, she expressed her desire to explore various terms like Diva, Crazy, The B Word, and Slut.

Each of these labels has been explicitly referenced in the titles of their respective episodes, except for Slut, which was relegated to a broader category.

Royston pointed out that while every episode typically focuses on a specific label, this latest installment seemed to shy away from fully embracing the Slut archetype.

The episode in question appeared to be designed around the Slut label, but for reasons unclear, the title veered away from this focus.

Royston speculated that Markle pivoted to a more generalized discussion about humanity rather than sticking to the provocative theme.

He noted that while the episode touched on female sexuality and featured insights from notable figures like Candace Bushnell, it felt like a missed chance to delve deeper into the Slut archetype.

Mainzer echoed Royston's sentiments, arguing that by not confronting the label head-on, Markle diminished the episode's potential impact.

She compared it to the earlier episode about being called a “bitch,” where the title was explicit and the discussion unflinching.

Mainzer suggested that Markle may have been trying to navigate the tricky waters of explicit content ratings, aiming to keep the podcast accessible to a wider audience.

Critics have also taken notice of a decline in the podcast's popularity among U.S. listeners.

According to Spotify's charts, Markle's latest episode landed at a disappointing 77th position, trailing even a collection of lullabies.

This drop has raised eyebrows, especially considering the hefty £18 million deal that Markle and Prince Harry signed with Spotify.

Listeners have scrutinized Markle's speaking style as well, noting that she frequently used first-person pronouns like “I” and “me” throughout the episode—around 300 times, in fact.

This self-referential approach has led some royal fans to question her motivations and authenticity, with one critic bluntly stating that Markle seems to be trying to justify her past in adult entertainment.

The backlash hasn't just been limited to statistics and critiques; some comments have taken a more personal tone.

Detractors have accused Markle of using her platform to gloss over her history, including roles that many find objectionable.

One commentator provocatively suggested that Markle should address her past more candidly, hinting at her time spent in less-than-reputable roles.

As the conversation around the podcast continues, it's clear that the stakes are high for Markle.

The intention behind Archetypes is to empower women by dismantling harmful stereotypes, but the execution has left some feeling that the message has been muddled.

By sidestepping the Slut label, critics argue that Markle risks diluting the very essence of her podcast's mission.

In a world increasingly sensitive to the nuances of language and representation, Markle's choice to avoid a direct confrontation with the Slut label raises important questions.

Are we truly able to destigmatize harmful terms if we don't address them head-on?

The debate surrounding this episode highlights the complexities involved in discussing women's issues in a public forum.

Ultimately, whether or not Markle will revisit the Slut archetype in future episodes remains to be seen.