Meghan Markle’s latest media endeavor, the podcast Confessions of a Female Founder, is off to a rocky start—one that industry insiders are calling both disappointing and, for some, humiliating.

As the Duchess of Sussex attempts to reestablish her media brand in the U.S., her latest effort appears to be falling flat with audiences—and failing to attract the very kind of high-profile guests she had been counting on to give it momentum.

Confessions of a Female Founder debuted on April 8 with a concept aimed at highlighting “the unfiltered stories behind the successes of notable female founders.”

MORE NEWS: Al Pacino Reportedly Regrets Never Marrying Diane Keaton Following Her Death at 79 [WATCH]

Markle’s vision was to elevate conversations around female entrepreneurship, drawing from her own experience navigating business, media, and philanthropy.

But three episodes in, the show has struggled to gain traction—and perhaps more damning, it has reportedly failed to lure the star power she had hoped would set the show apart.

According to a source close to the production team who spoke with the Daily Mail, Markle had been actively reaching out to A-list celebrities in hopes of securing them as guests.

“No one’s picking up the phone. The show is not landing,” the insider said. “There’s no Taylor Swift. No Beyoncé. Not even a Hailey Bieber.”

Do you think President Trump should have won the Nobel Peace Prize?

By completing the poll, you agree to receive emails from BoredTrashPanda.com, occasional offers from our partners and that you've read and agree to our privacy policy and legal statement.

MORE NEWS: Pop Singer Chappell Roan Says ‘F**k ICE Forever’ From Stage, DHS Claps Back [WATCH]

That level of rejection is more than a mere programming setback.

Close

It reflects what some in the entertainment world are calling a “pulling power problem” for Meghan, a significant shift from the star-studded media attention that surrounded her when she and Prince Harry first moved to the U.S. to pursue independent ventures.

“And when you’re pitching female empowerment, that’s a problem,” the source added. “It speaks volumes for her pulling power. She’s not happy about her lack of appeal.”

Another insider went even further, alleging that Meghan “dialed all the big names,” pitching them on a format built around “honest conversations with women who’ve built from the ground up, faced challenges and kept going.”

Despite the compelling narrative framework, none of these overtures appear to have been reciprocated.

MORE NEWS: ‘The View’ Co-Host Stuns CNN Audience with Her Praise of Trump’s Israel-Hamas Peace Deal [WATCH]

With top-tier guests seemingly out of reach, Markle has shifted focus to lesser-known founders.

The debut episode featured Whitney Wolfe Herd, founder of the popular dating app Bumble.

In episode two, Meghan interviewed Reshma Saujani, the founder of Girls Who Code, a nonprofit aimed at closing the gender gap in tech. Her third guest was Kadi Lee, co-founder of Highbrow Hippie, a wellness and hair care brand.

Though each of these women has impressive credentials and compelling stories, they lack the kind of name recognition that drives audience engagement in the crowded podcast landscape. Critics have been quick to notice.

The Guardian bluntly described the show as “stomach-turning,” criticizing not only its lack of punch but also Meghan’s tendency to steer conversations toward herself.

Columnist James Marriott of The Times of London gave the podcast a harsh one-star review, penning a column titled “Meghan’s vapid lessons in self-love.” In one particularly scathing remark, he wrote that listening to the podcast made him feel “seized by an urge to beat my head against the wall.”

MORE NEWS: Another Late Night ‘Comedian’ Jokes About Charlie Kirk’s Assassination [WATCH]

Marriott continued, “Receiving business advice from a Californian multimillionaire who owes a significant part of her fortune to marrying a prince is about as enjoyable and as illuminating as you would expect.”

His biting critique reflects a broader skepticism toward Meghan’s media endeavors, particularly when they aim to present her as a relatable figure in business and entrepreneurship.

The backlash, combined with the lack of star-studded support, has placed Meghan in a difficult position.

Where once her name alone could draw headlines, the current podcast performance suggests her cultural cachet may be waning. And without major celebrity guests to buoy interest, the show risks being lost in a saturated market dominated by established personalities and more engaging formats.

MORE NEWS: These People ‘Should Be In F**king Jail’ For What They Did to Tulsi Gabbard: Joe Rogan [WATCH]

Still, it’s too early to declare Confessions of a Female Founder a complete failure. The premise itself—women sharing real stories of building from the ground up—is strong, especially in a media landscape hungry for authentic female narratives.

But for Markle to rescue the show from its current downward trajectory, a recalibration may be necessary. That could mean adjusting the focus to highlight the stories more than the host—or perhaps returning to the drawing board altogether.

For now, however, the silence from stars like Taylor Swift and Beyoncé speaks volumes. Whether it’s personal hesitation, scheduling conflicts, or a strategic decision to avoid controversy, the fact remains that these A-listers are steering clear.

And that leaves Meghan Markle with more questions than answers about where her media brand truly stands in 2025.

WATCH BELOW: