Netflix executives likely believed they had a surefire hit when they approved With Love, Meghan. After all, how difficult could it be to secure A-list talent for a show featuring someone who once managed to convince the world she was Hollywood royalty? As it turns out, quite difficult.
Meghan Markle’s latest attempt at reinventing herself—this time as a lifestyle guru in the vein of Martha Stewart or perhaps Oprah—was met with widespread indifference. The most glaring issue? The absence of anyone remotely considered A-list. Meghan tried, but when the calls were made and invitations sent, the responses ranged from polite declines to outright ghosting.
Remember when Meghan and Oprah were supposedly inseparable, sharing intimate backyard conversations and life-altering revelations? Yet, somehow, Oprah was too busy to drop by for a quick cooking segment. And what about Serena Williams, the legendary tennis star and longtime friend who once enthusiastically praised Meghan during the royal wedding era? She was conspicuously absent, offering only a half-hearted Instagram post that felt more like an intern’s obligatory social media task than a message from a genuine friend. Rumor has it that Serena wasn’t even given a heads-up before her name was used for promotional purposes.
Then there’s Tyler Perry, the same man who provided Meghan and Harry with a safe haven when they left royal life. Given his strong ties to the couple, one might assume he would make a brief appearance. However, Perry, too, had a mysterious scheduling conflict. With no high-profile guests available, Meghan had to settle for the likes of Abigail Spencer, Delina Feras, and a chef she had reportedly never met before filming—but was suddenly presented as a close friend. Nothing says authenticity quite like a stranger being introduced as a longtime confidant on camera. Even Prince Harry barely made an appearance, showing up for a fleeting moment in the final episode before making a hasty exit—perhaps sensing the inevitable disaster of the series.
The only semi-notable guest was Mindy Kaling, who at least carries some weight in Hollywood. However, let’s be honest—she isn’t exactly in the same social circles as Beyoncé or the Obamas. Speaking of Beyoncé, where was she? Meghan often reminds people that they exchanged a text message years ago, yet the global superstar was nowhere to be found. Perhaps she was busy making history—or, more likely, wisely avoiding a PR misstep.
Other major names were undoubtedly asked and declined. Taylor Swift reportedly had an assistant send a direct "no" in response to Meghan’s Archetypes podcast invitation—so much for a personal touch. Michelle Obama, who had a single lunch with Meghan before deciding that was enough bonding for a lifetime, also steered clear. Even Kim Kardashian, who never shies away from the spotlight, managed to resist the temptation of a cameo. Amal Clooney, once close enough to Meghan to throw her a lavish baby shower, was noticeably absent. Elton John, who had previously shown support for the Sussexes, didn’t feel inclined to grace the series with a musical moment. The list of missing stars goes on.
Meghan’s so-called inner circle—if it can even be called that—was nowhere in sight. Figures she once claimed as close confidants, such as Priyanka Chopra and Misha Nonoo, were missing in action. The message is clear: the Meghan Markle star-power experiment is fading fast. When she was the royal family’s biggest disruptor, media giants like CBS were eager to capitalize on the buzz. But now that the initial fascination has worn off and the Sussex brand has lost its luster, Hollywood is moving in the opposite direction.
