Meghan Markle recently appeared on Instagram in her pajamas, presenting what can only be described as a glorified toddler snack while labeling it as innovation. The internet has been abuzz with discussions about the ongoing rivalry between Markle’s lifestyle brand and Gwyneth Paltrow’s well-established Goop empire.
This latest social media moment only added more fuel to the fire. The drama began when Gwyneth, effortlessly radiant as always, posted a casual video from her Montecito kitchen. She appeared makeup-free, dressed in cozy sleepwear, sipping from a monogrammed mug while preparing a simple breakfast. The entire moment exuded a natural elegance—something Meghan has long tried to emulate. To make matters even more intriguing, Gwyneth’s video featured a song that had recently appeared in Meghan’s own content. Coincidence? Unlikely
Not one to let a moment pass unchallenged, Meghan responded with what can only be described as the great banana split clapback of 2025. In a move so transparent that even her most devoted fans raised an eyebrow, she hastily uploaded her own breakfast-making video. Unlike Gwyneth’s relaxed, sophisticated aesthetic, Meghan’s attempt was noticeably less refined—something between a high school home economics class and a calculated PR stunt.
The video featured Meghan dressed in her signature linen attire, accompanied by her close friend Kelly McKee Zajfen, who curiously never removed her crossbody bag, as if prepared for an emergency exit. The culinary creation at the heart of this spectacle? A banana sliced in half, topped with bagged granola, jam, and a few blueberries. Meghan excitedly captioned the post as if they had just discovered an entirely new food category. Kelly, doing her best to appear impressed, sprinkled Meghan’s own brand of jam over the fruit in what was likely the least innovative food moment of the year.
Social media users wasted no time sharing their thoughts. Comments ranged from amused confusion to outright mockery. “So… it’s just a banana with toppings? Groundbreaking,” one user wrote. Others questioned why Meghan seemed so enthralled by something so basic: “Why does she act like she just witnessed the discovery of fire over a banana and granola?” Some even found her choice of attire odd, asking, “Who invites people over for breakfast and doesn’t even bother to get dressed?”
While Meghan’s video was clearly an attempt to match Gwyneth’s effortlessly chic aesthetic, the outcome was far from successful. Where Paltrow’s content exuded luxury and wellness, Markle’s version felt more like a Pinterest mom discovering breakfast for the first time. On top of that, health-conscious viewers pointed out the glaring nutritional shortcomings of her dish. “A banana, granola, jam, and honey? That’s a blood sugar spike waiting to happen,” one critic noted. “If she wants to be a wellness guru, maybe she should learn about protein and fiber first.”
Adding to the misstep, the engagement on Meghan’s post was underwhelming, failing to generate the admiration she likely anticipated. Instead, the general consensus was that the entire thing felt forced, overly performative, and ironically less authentic than Gwyneth Paltrow’s carefully curated wellness brand. It left many wondering: Was this really the best Meghan could do? With ample opportunity to present an original recipe or at least share meaningful wellness insights, she instead delivered a sliced banana and a friend who appeared unwilling to put her bag down.
If there’s one takeaway from this latest chapter in Meghan Markle’s ongoing quest to become the next Gwyneth Paltrow, it’s that effortless elegance is an art—one she has yet to master. While Gwyneth gave audiences something aspirational, Meghan’s attempt came off as little more than an exercise in desperation.
