Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are at the center of a media whirlwind concerning their various business ventures and partnerships.
Recent reports indicate that the couple is shifting their focus from their much-publicized deal with Netflix to explore new opportunities with Paramount. Initially, it was announced that the Sussexes were preparing to work on two separate factual series under the Netflix contract.
One series was to delve into the exclusive world of professional polo, led by Prince Harry, while the other, fronted by Meghan Markle, was centered on gardening, cooking, and lifestyle, dubbed "The Meghan Markle Show." This latter project was envisioned as a celebration of cooking, gardening, entertaining, and friendship.
However, it now appears that the cooking and lifestyle series has encountered significant challenges behind the scenes. Industry insiders and an intriguing blind item suggest that the celebrity chefs involved in the production have grown increasingly frustrated with Meghan's insistence on micromanaging various aspects of the show's development and execution.
Reports indicate that Meghan's absence from an expected upfront presentation for the new series was perceived as a snub by the Netflix team, who had counted on her active involvement to promote the project. This breach of protocol reportedly provoked a strong reaction from the featured chefs, known for their consistent presence and cooperation with network partners. As a result, the future of the cooking show is now on shaky ground, with Netflix allegedly losing enthusiasm for airing the series.
Comparisons have been drawn to Selena Gomez's cooking show, which was praised for its charm and relatability despite Gomez's lack of advanced culinary skills—an apparent contrast to Meghan's self-proclaimed kitchen expertise. Additionally, Meghan's recent launch of a new lifestyle brand, American Riviera Orchard, has faced scrutiny and backlash. The debut featured Meghan personally numbering each of the 50 jars of the inaugural strawberry jam product and distributing them to a select group of friends and social media influencers. This exclusive limited edition approach has been perceived by some as a sign of Meghan's heightened sensitivity to potential criticism.
Royal expert and author Tom Quinn has commented on Meghan's mindset, suggesting that, like her husband Prince Harry, she feels unfairly targeted by critics. Quinn notes that Meghan is unprepared for further criticism, especially regarding her luxurious lifestyle in the United States, which she views as something to be admired rather than scrutinized. In response to this criticism, Meghan is reportedly planning a proactive PR blitz leading up to the official launch of American Riviera Orchard later this year. The goal is to attract new followers and secure high-profile media appearances, including potentially hand-select interviews with journalists to drive online sales for the brand.
This shift in focus away from Netflix towards potential new opportunities with Paramount suggests that Harry and Meghan are seeking alternative platforms to showcase their various projects and ideas. However, the challenges with the cooking show venture and the sensitivity surrounding the American Riviera Orchard brand launch indicate that Harry and Meghan are still navigating the complexities of maintaining a prominent public profile while pursuing their commercial ambitions. The reported tensions and setbacks surrounding the Sussexes' Netflix deal and Meghan's lifestyle brand launch come at a time when the multi-million dollar contract with the streaming service was hailed as a landmark achievement, marking their transition into high-profile content creation.
These apparent fractures and setbacks could reshape perceptions of the Sussexes' business acumen and their ability to execute their lofty aspirations. As Harry and Meghan continue to chart their course in media, branding, and entrepreneurship, the scrutiny and critique they face are likely to intensify. The success of their future endeavors will depend on their ability to manage these challenges and adapt to the ever-changing media landscape.
