Meghan Markle once again finds herself in a predicament, though this time it’s not a royal scandal or a public controversy dominating the headlines.
Instead, it’s her upcoming Netflix show, With Love, Meghan, which may need to hit the proverbial "delete" button on a segment featuring a Michelin-starred restaurateur who is now embroiled in felony charges. The segment in question involves Meghan and Prince Harry’s much-publicized visit to La Barbecue, a trendy BBQ joint in Austin, Texas, that had recently received a Michelin star.
The visit wasn’t your average pit stop for a quick bite. Oh no, this was a full-blown royal photo op at a celebrity-endorsed hotspot. The owners, Alison Clem and her late wife, LeAnn Mueller, were reportedly thrilled to welcome the Duke and Duchess of Sussex and showcase their mastery of Texas-style barbecue. Meghan and Harry appeared all smiles as they chatted with the owners about the fiery pits of Texas BBQ, exchanged hugs, and posed for carefully curated social media snapshots. According to the restaurant’s director, Corey Rader, everything was pre-approved, giving the impression that the visit was planned as much more than a casual dining experience.
However, the royal barbecue narrative has taken a dramatic turn. Alison Clem is now facing felony charges for a $350,000 insurance fraud scheme involving a worker’s injury. Yes, you read that correctly—the restaurant Meghan and Harry chose to spotlight in their Netflix series is now steeped in a scandal far less appetizing than its smoky barbecue. Workers’ compensation fraud and a criminal indictment are hardly the kind of headlines the royal couple would want to be associated with, particularly when it’s linked to a project meant to highlight uplifting stories.
Rather than brushing the situation under the rug with a “we’re too busy with charitable causes” excuse, Meghan reportedly sprang into action. Sources suggest she is scrambling to edit out Clem and any mention of the restaurant from her show before it airs. It seems that the Sussexes didn’t do their due diligence before the visit. If they had, they might have discovered that La Barbecue had operated without workers' compensation insurance for 20 months before the incident that led to Clem’s legal troubles. The oversight has now cast an unflattering spotlight on their decision to align with the eatery.
The situation raises questions about how such missteps keep happening. From a cheerful social media post to a full-on public relations headache, the visit to La Barbecue has become yet another complication in Meghan and Harry’s increasingly complex public image. To add insult to injury, rumors suggest Meghan is considering an "emergency episode" to address the fallout—perhaps to recast herself in a more sympathetic light. Could this involve a heartwarming scene of Meghan rolling up her sleeves in a disaster zone or embracing victims of tragedy? Critics have already drawn parallels to her previous appearances, which were accused of being more performative than heartfelt.
For now, the drama surrounding With Love, Meghan seems to be far from over. What started as an attempt to sprinkle some royal charm on a celebrated BBQ joint has turned into yet another lesson in the perils of poorly vetted partnerships. Whether this latest hiccup will impact the show’s reception or Meghan’s broader media aspirations remains to be seen. One thing’s for certain: in the world of royalty and celebrity, even barbecue can become a recipe for controversy.
