Last month, it was revealed that the Sussexes are preparing to work on two separate factual series with Netflix as part of their multi-million dollar deal with the streaming platform.
One series, led by Harry, will delve into the world of professional polo, while another, led by Meghan, will focus on gardening, cooking, and lifestyle. Meghan Markle's show is expected to celebrate the joys of cooking, gardening, entertaining, and friendship.
This announcement came shortly after Meghan launched a new brand, American Riviera Orchard, rumored to sell home decor items and cooking condiments. However, it appears that Harry and Meghan are now shifting their focus to Paramount. This shift raises questions about the highly publicized $100 million Netflix contract and the cooking show that was anticipated to be a major hit. Despite intriguing rumors suggesting smooth progress, it has come to light that the chefs, not Meghan, are quite frustrated. Meghan, despite her self-proclaimed culinary skills, is not actually a chef.
The streaming giant was reportedly upset with Meghan because she refused to participate in an upfront presentation for the new show, deeming it beneath her status. The celebrity chef's reaction was particularly notable, as he typically supports his network without fail. Consequently, the cooking show is already on shaky ground, with Netflix not keen on airing it, partly due to Meghan's insistence on micromanaging the chefs. Unlike Selena Gomez's charming cooking show, Meghan's approach has led to directors quitting, staff walking out, and the project turning into a big mess.
Following the debut of her new brand in March, Meghan Markle has faced scrutiny, leading to perceptions of her being overly sensitive. As part of the brand launch, which included a new website and Instagram account, Meghan distributed jars of strawberry jam—the brand's inaugural product—to 50 friends and influencers. She personally numbered each jar from 1 to 50 to suggest exclusivity.
Royal expert and author Tom Quinn suggests that Meghan now expects criticism for everything she does, especially after the backlash surrounding the jam. Speaking to The Mirror, Mr. Quinn said that like her husband, Meghan feels people are unfairly targeting her and she can't understand why her work isn't admired. He added that she is extremely sensitive to any criticism of her luxurious lifestyle in the United States, which she views as something to be admired rather than criticized.
According to the publication, Meghan is currently planning a PR blitz in the run-up to the official launch of American Riviera Orchard later this year. She hopes to attract new followers and ideally secure a string of appearances on chat shows and podcasts. Meghan might even give interviews to specially selected journalists to drive online sales. She is reportedly desperate to improve her image in both the US and the UK.
