Last month, it was revealed that the Sussexes are gearing up to work on two separate factual series with Netflix as part of their multi-million dollar deal with the streaming platform.
One series, headed by Harry, will delve into the world of professional polo. The other, led by Meghan, will focus on gardening, cooking, and lifestyle. Meghan's show is expected to celebrate the joys of cooking, gardening, entertaining, and friendship. This announcement came shortly after Meghan unveiled a new brand, American Riviera Orchard, which is rumored to sell home decor items and cooking condiments.
However, it appears that Harry and Meghan are now shifting their focus to Paramount. This raises questions about the highly publicized $100 million Netflix contract and the cooking show that was supposed to be the talk of the town. Initially, everything seemed to be progressing smoothly. But according to some intriguing blind items, tensions have surfaced. The chefs, not Meghan, are reportedly frustrated. Despite her self-proclaimed culinary prowess, Meghan isn't exactly a chef.
It seems Netflix was quite displeased with Meghan because they expected her to participate in an upfront presentation for a new show, but she deemed it beneath her status. The celebrity chef’s reaction was noteworthy, as he is always present for his network without fail. As a result, the cooking show is already on shaky ground. Netflix is hesitant to air it, largely due to Meghan's insistence on micromanaging the chefs. In contrast, Selena Gomez's cooking show was a hit despite her limited culinary skills, thanks to her charming approach. Meghan's management style, however, has led to directors quitting and staff walking out, turning the project into a big mess.
After debuting her new brand in March, Meghan has faced scrutiny, leading to perceptions of her being overly sensitive. As part of the brand launch, which featured a new website and Instagram account, Meghan distributed jars of strawberry jam, the brand's inaugural product, to 50 friends and influencers for tasting. Notably, Meghan personally numbered each jar from 1 to 50 to suggest exclusivity. Royal expert and author Tom Quinn suggests that Meghan anticipates criticism for everything she does, particularly in light of the backlash surrounding the jam.
Speaking to the Mirror, Quinn said that like her husband, Meghan feels people unfairly pick on her and can't understand why they don't admire her work. He added that she isn't prepared for any further criticism and is extremely sensitive about critiques of her luxurious lifestyle in the United States. From her perspective, this lifestyle is something to be admired, not criticized.
Additionally, Meghan is currently planning a PR blitz in the run-up to American Riviera Orchard's official launch later this year. She hopes to attract new followers and secure a series of appearances on chat shows and podcasts. Meghan may even give interviews to specially selected journalists in an attempt to drive online sales. She is said to be desperate to improve her image in both the US and UK.
