Last month, it was revealed that the Sussexes are gearing up to work on two separate factual series with Netflix, part of their multi-million dollar deal with the streaming platform.
One series, spearheaded by Prince Harry, will delve into the world of professional polo. The other, led by Meghan Markle, 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 her new brand, American Riviera Orchard, which is rumored to offer 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 anticipated to be a major hit. Initially, everything seemed to be progressing well, but recent developments suggest otherwise. Blind items have hinted that professional chefs involved in the project, not Meghan, are frustrated. Despite Meghan's self-proclaimed culinary prowess, she is not a trained chef.
It seems Netflix was disappointed with Meghan because she refused to participate in an upfront presentation for the new show, considering it beneath her status. This did not sit well with a celebrity chef who consistently supports his network. Consequently, the cooking show appears to be on shaky ground, with Netflix hesitating to air it due to Meghan’s insistence on micromanaging the chefs. In contrast, Selena Gomez’s cooking show was a charming success despite her limited kitchen skills. Meghan's overbearing approach has reportedly caused directors to quit and staff to walk out, turning the project into a mess.
Following the launch of her new brand in March, Meghan Markle has faced scrutiny, leading to perceptions of her sensitivity. The brand launch, featuring a new website and Instagram account, included Meghan distributing jars of strawberry jam, the brand’s inaugural product, to 50 friends and influencers. Notably, Meghan added a touch of exclusivity by personally numbering each jar from 1 to 50. Royal expert and author Tom Quinn suggests that Meghan feels unfairly criticized for her efforts, much like her husband. She struggles to understand why her work is not universally admired and is highly sensitive to any criticism of her luxurious lifestyle in the United States, which she views as something to be celebrated rather than criticized.
According to reports, Meghan is currently planning a PR blitz in anticipation of American Riviera Orchard's official launch later this year. She hopes to attract new followers and generate a buzz that could lead to appearances on chat shows and podcasts. Meghan may even be open to giving interviews to selected journalists to drive online sales. She is reportedly desperate to improve her image in both the US and UK.
