The typically light-hearted realm of celebrity cooking shows took an unexpected turn recently when Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos, hosts of "Live with Kelly and Ryan," ignited a firestorm of controversy with their harsh comments about Meghan Markle's new cooking program.
The incident occurred during a summer grilling segment on their show, where Ripa and Consuelos showcased their culinary skills and shared tips with their audience. However, the atmosphere quickly soured as the veteran TV personalities decided to critique the Duchess of Sussex's foray into food television.
Earlier this year, Meghan Markle announced the launch of her own cooking show, "Royal Recipes," set to air on a popular streaming platform. The show promised viewers a behind-the-scenes look at the Duchess's culinary skills, featuring some of her favorite dishes. Meghan's fans were eager to tune in for a glimpse into the private life of the former actress turned royal. However, their excitement was short-lived.
During "Live with Kelly and Ryan's" summer grilling segment, Ripa and Consuelos were in the midst of sharing their grilling tips and recipes when the conversation took an unexpected turn. "I've heard a lot about this new cooking show Meghan Markle is doing," Ripa said, a sly grin spreading across her face. "Royal Recipes or whatever it's called." Consuelos, known for his quick wit, chimed in without hesitation, "Royal Recipes, huh? Well, I guess we know one thing for sure: the Duchess can't cook to save her life."
The audience erupted in laughter as Ripa continued, "Exactly. I mean, have you seen the woman? She can barely boil water, let alone prepare a five-course meal fit for a king." Consuelos sarcastically suggested the show should be renamed "How to Burn Water with Meghan Markle."
While the live audience found Ripa and Consuelos's comments entertaining, the reaction on social media was anything but favorable. Meghan's supporters, who have long defended the Duchess against perceived attacks, quickly expressed their outrage. "How dare they mock Meghan's cooking skills? She's a successful, multi-talented woman, and they have no right to belittle her like that," one Twitter user fired back. Another commented, "The hypocrisy is astounding. Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos are hardly Michelin-starred chefs themselves, yet they think they can judge Meghan's abilities in the kitchen. Unbelievable."
The backlash escalated, with some viewers even calling for a boycott of "Live with Kelly and Ryan." Meghan's supporters argued that the co-hosts' remarks were not only disrespectful but also reflective of the ongoing campaign to undermine the Duchess's reputation and accomplishments. Faced with the overwhelming wave of criticism, Ripa and Consuelos were compelled to address the controversy on their show the following day.
"Look, we were just joking around, you know, having a little fun with the whole cooking show thing," Ripa said, her tone more defensive than usual. "We didn't mean to offend anyone, especially Meghan Markle. She's a very accomplished woman, and we respect her." Consuelos added, "Absolutely. We're huge fans of Meghan, and we're excited to see what she brings to the table, so to speak, with her new cooking show. We were just, you know, being our usual sarcastic selves, but I guess it didn't land the way we intended."
Despite their attempt to quell the outrage, the co-hosts' apology did little to appease Meghan's supporters, who continued to voice their displeasure on social media. The controversy surrounding Ripa and Consuelos's comments has highlighted the ongoing tensions between the royal family and the media, particularly in regard to the treatment of Meghan Markle. For many, the co-hosts' remarks were seen as yet another example of the constant scrutiny and criticism the Duchess faces, often based on perceived biases and unfounded assumptions.
The fact that the comments were made during a light-hearted cooking segment only added to the sense of unfairness and disrespect. As the dust settles, the future of Meghan's "Royal Recipes" cooking show remains uncertain. Will the Duchess forge ahead with her culinary venture, undeterred by the naysayers? Or will the relentless barrage of criticism and negative attention ultimately take its toll? One thing is clear: the battle lines have been drawn, and the ongoing war between Meghan Markle and her detractors shows no signs of abating. As the world watches with bated breath, the question remains: will the Duchess emerge victorious, or will the forces aligned against her prove too powerful to overcome?
