Selena Gomez firmly declined an invitation to appear as a guest star on Meghan Markle's cooking show by the April 11th deadline.
Archie World Productions had recently given the green light to two Netflix series, each revolving around the personal interests of the couple. Meghan's project centers on the pleasures of cooking, gardening, and fostering friendships, with her taking on the role of executive producer.
The second series, still in its early stages, will spotlight professional polo, a beloved sport of Prince Harry's. This new venture hints at a potential reality show atmosphere akin to Julia Roberts' iconic scene in "Pretty Woman" at a polo match.
The announcement of these series comes approximately a month after Meghan revealed her enigmatic new lifestyle brand, American Riviera Orchard, which many speculate could be a revamped version of her previous blog, The Tig. Rumors are also swirling about a potential makeup line under this brand, as cosmetics were included in recent trademark filings. Interestingly, Netflix reportedly invested a hefty sum into the rights of a book for Meghan last year, but instead of channeling funds into her cooking endeavors, she seemingly opted to revamp her kitchen for the show.
Deadline reported that Leah Haron, previously a producer on Selena Gomez's HBO cooking series "Selena and Chef," has been chosen as the showrunner for Meghan's Netflix project. While Gomez's team suggested she would be an ideal guest for Meghan's show due to their shared acting backgrounds and passion for cooking, Gomez's assistant dismissed the idea, citing Selena's commitment to her own projects and her humility regarding her culinary skills.
It seems that despite Meghan's interest in collaborating with Gomez, the latter chose not to engage, possibly due to her own successful ventures and a lack of interest in associating with Meghan's projects. The behind-the-scenes work for Meghan's series, such as securing funding, assembling a crew, and scouting locations, will likely be handled by the intellectual property corporation, while Boardwalk Pictures is expected to oversee Prince Harry's series. Meghan's involvement as an executive producer in Harry's series raises questions about the dynamics of their collaboration, particularly considering Harry's apparent absence from her own project.
Critics question the appeal of such shows, suggesting they cater to niche interests and reflect Meghan's alleged tendencies to exploit relationships for personal gain. The skepticism extends to the broader American audience, with doubts about the widespread appeal of polo and the staged interactions on Meghan's show. Despite the criticisms, the couple seems determined to forge ahead with their respective ventures, leaving many wondering why they waited so long to embark on these projects.
