In the world of celebrity media, few figures remain as polarizing as Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex. Recently, her Netflix series, "With Love, Meghan," caught the eye of EastEnders star Natalie Cassidy, who did not hold back her criticisms during a recent episode of her podcast, Off the Telly.
CCassidy, 41, revealed she was left "bamboozled" after seeing a particularly striking scene featuring Markle in a white linen dress while cooking pasta. "You don’t cook pasta with a cream linen suit on, number one!" Cassidy commented, to the amusement of her podcast partner Joanna Page, who chimed in with, "Tomatoes as well.” This sharp critique set the tone for the actress's further comments, where she expressed concern about Markle's apparent lack of culinary finesse.
“As a lifestyle show, I am sorry, she was chopping up some vegetables, her crudité plate, and I thought, you don’t chop a lot, don’t pretend. Her chopping was quite beginner-ish,” Cassidy explained. Despite her criticisms, she noted that the pasta recipe portrayed was indeed "very healthy" but questioned the need for such a basic demonstration. "Who can’t do that?" she fretted. This observation highlights a growing trend where celebrities face scrutiny for their lifestyle choices, especially when promoting content that falls under the so-called lifestyle genre.
Within the broader context of Markle's ventures, Gwyneth Paltrow, actress and founder of lifestyle brand GOOP, weighed in. Addressing whispers about Markle mirroring her successful brand, Paltrow expressed a supportive stance toward the Duchess. “I don’t know Meghan and Harry … I mean, I’ve met Meghan, who seems really lovely, but I don’t know her at all,” she remarked in a recent Vanity Fair interview. Paltrow emphasized that she was raised to see other women as friends, not foes and held a belief that everyone deserves a chance to pursue their dreams.
These comments from Paltrow came in light of Markle's relaunch of her lifestyle brand, As Ever, which many have claimed bears similarities to GOOP. Markle explained that As Ever, a name she secured in 2022, represents "as it’s always been" and reflects her passions for cooking, crafting, and gardening. The line includes products such as fruit preserves, crepe mixes, flower sprinkles, and a special shortbread cookie mix that conjures memories of her time in England.
Interestingly, the release of Markle's series has elicited mixed reviews, with many viewers openly criticizing its simplicity. While some critiques like Cassidy's stand out for their humorous tone, others express deeper concerns about the standards being set in lifestyle media. On the flip side, royal commentator Jennie Bond added her voice to the discussion, warning against the "utter mockery" surrounding Meghan’s endeavors. "The pile-on of utter mockery about her show has, in my opinion, been completely out of order. Even cruel," said Bond. She reminded onlookers that Meghan’s show aims to beautify daily life, not to engage in deep political discourse.
Bond suggested that Meghan should focus on the positives, noting that the production crew had spoken fondly of her hospitality and charm while filming. “It’s really glossy. It’s really easy, I could put another one on. It is what it is, it’s just easy,” Cassidy dryly noted during the podcast, providing a window into the mixed perceptions of the series. Even if critics argue that the content lacks substance, the points of view expressed by Cassidy and Paltrow showcase the ongoing complexities of public persona and media portrayal.
With shows like "With Love, Meghan" already drawing considerable attention, the spotlight on lifestyle content and public figures will only intensify. Celebrities like Markle and Paltrow not only curate their images but also navigate the choppy waters of public opinion, where every creative endeavor is subject to scrutiny. As they work to share their interests and ideals with audiences, the crucial question looms: at what point does lifestyle content ascend from approachable to critique?
As the criticism continues to swirl, it’s clear that in the realm of media, perceptions hold substantial weight, shaping the narratives around enterprising women like Markle. Both Cassidy's and Paltrow's remarks underline not just a moment of critique but a wider conversation about female empowerment, competition, and the societal expectations mothers may face when stepping into the public eye.
