Meghan Markle's new cooking show, With Love, Meghan, recently premiered on Netflix, but it has already sparked controversy among culinary stars and lifestyle personalities. Critics claim that Markle has lifted ideas from their work without giving proper credit, leading to a wave of backlash that has overshadowed the show's debut.
In the inaugural episode, Markle prepares a simple pasta dish featuring tomatoes, olive oil, garlic, arugula, and cheese. However, this recipe bears a striking resemblance to one created by renowned chef Martha Stewart, who is not pleased with Markle's apparent lack of acknowledgment. Stewart, now 83, took to social media to express her frustration, reposting her original recipe with the caption, "The original and the best!" Sources close to Stewart revealed that she feels Markle has a lot of nerve for not mentioning her influence.
But Stewart isn't the only culinary figure voicing concerns. Celebrity chef Rachael Ray has also weighed in, reportedly telling friends that Markle "can't even cook pasta right." Furthermore, some online commentators have drawn parallels between Markle's show and Pamela Anderson's cooking series, Pamela's Cooking With Love, suggesting that elements of Markle's presentation may have been borrowed from Anderson's earlier work.
Adding to the controversy, Markle's lifestyle brand, which was initially named American Riviera Orchard and has since been rebranded as As Ever, is facing scrutiny for its similarity to Joanna Gaines' Magnolia brand. While Gaines has yet to publicly comment on the matter, insiders claim she is not happy about the apparent similarities, with one source stating, "It looks way too similar."
Despite the criticism, Markle does have a notable supporter in actress Gwyneth Paltrow. Paltrow has publicly defended Markle, stating that she was raised to support other women. However, some speculate about the sincerity of her support, considering Paltrow also runs her own lifestyle brand, which could position her as a competitor to Markle's endeavors.
Markle and her husband, Prince Harry, are navigating a turbulent year, with rumors swirling about their marriage. Insiders suggest that their relationship is deteriorating, with Harry reportedly focusing on mending ties with family members he has distanced himself from in the past. While Markle attempts to re-enter the entertainment industry, she is also actively promoting her lifestyle brand through various marketing strategies, including sending festive gift boxes to influential figures like Kris Jenner.
Interestingly, Markle has been incorporating her children, Archie and Lilibet, into her marketing efforts, a move that has raised eyebrows. Royal expert Matt Wilkinson of The Sun has commented on the situation, noting that Harry is reportedly unhappy with the way their children are being used for promotional purposes. "My understanding of this is that, up to a certain stage, Harry would much rather his children were not seen," Wilkinson explained. "He doesn’t want them to be papped. He’s got this idea that if he takes them outside of Montecito, there’s a horde of us out there trying to take pictures of his kids. They’re not, by the way!"
While Markle has been careful to avoid exposing her children's faces in public, her approach to parenting has sparked a debate about the line between marketing and family privacy. "She grew up in California, she once said she would like to have a more California-style lifestyle, take them down the beach, go out, do stuff. She doesn’t want to hide them away," Wilkinson added.
The discussion surrounding Markle's choices remains divisive. Some argue that she is exploiting her children for her brand, while others contend that she is simply a mother balancing her career and family life. "You could argue that Meghan isn’t exploiting the children, she’s just…well maybe she is exploiting them, but she’s using them to display her brand. She’s a mother. A homemaker and cooking at home," Wilkinson noted.
As Markle's show continues to air, the scrutiny surrounding her personal and professional life shows no signs of abating. With a hefty $100 million deal with Netflix, the Duchess of Sussex is under the spotlight, and every move she makes is being closely monitored by both fans and critics alike. The future of her show, her brand, and her marriage may all hinge on how she navigates this choppy terrain.
In the world of celebrity, where image is everything, Markle's attempts to carve out her niche are proving to be as complicated as they are ambitious. With the blend of motherhood, celebrity culture, and entrepreneurial spirit, Markle is at a crossroads, and how she responds to the challenges ahead will likely shape her legacy in the years to come.
