Meghan Markle introduced her new lifestyle brand, American Riviera Orchard, on April 2nd with all the flair you'd expect—but calling it a launch might be generous. In reality, she sent out curated gift boxes to a select group of celebrity friends, as if she were a duchess turned holiday gift-giver.
These weren't just any acquaintances—they were the kind who might've had a quiet obligation to show their enthusiasm, at least online. Rather than a traditional product launch, this felt more like a carefully orchestrated publicity stunt disguised as an elegant tea party. According to the brand's website, everything sold out in less than an hour. Cute, right? Except no one seems to have actually bought anything—because there was nothing available to purchase. The moment the site went live, the products were already marked as sold out. Convenient, to say the least. Instead of offering a genuine public debut, stocking shelves, or, say, securing FDA approval for her consumables, Meghan chose to send surprise packages to her wealthy, influential inner circle.
One of the chosen recipients was Zoe Saldaña, who posted a photo of the wooden gift crate like a dutiful participant. Interestingly, Meghan recently signed with MN2S, the same talent agency that represents Zoe. Whether that’s a coincidence, a bit of strategic networking, or some good old-fashioned favor-swapping is anyone’s guess. Zoe’s caption graciously thanked Meghan for the “beautiful and yummy gift”—the kind of polite social media nod you post before discretely leaving the basket behind at an awards afterparty.
This wasn’t about random acts of generosity. Meghan leaned into her usual playbook: leveraging her network of wealthy, well-connected figures to shape public perception. It wasn’t about humanitarian efforts or genuine connection—it was, as always, about prestige. The timing made things even more curious. The brand’s site claimed to be sold out before any of the influencers even shared their gifted items online. Talk about a slick PR trick—getting people excited over products they couldn’t actually buy.
The whole thing echoed the feel of a Goop-style launch, except with less credibility and a heaping spoonful of raspberry jam. A bizarre twist: if these food products weren’t approved for sale, did Zoe just thank Meghan for sending her unregulated goods? The irony is rich—maybe even award-worthy. It’s almost like watching a performance, with herbal tea playing the supporting role no one drinks.
Meghan sent floral sprinkles and gourmet donuts to people who already have Michelin-level private chefs and designer-stocked kitchens. It was a savvy play—using luxury influencers to spotlight a brand that doesn’t yet exist in a meaningful, purchasable form. As for Zoe, it’s another chapter in a complicated press narrative—first facing backlash over her Nina Simone portrayal, now caught up in Meghan’s latest branding spectacle. Maybe next time, she'll think twice before becoming a prop in someone else's carefully curated image.
Ultimately, Meghan’s launch wasn’t about building a business. It was a masterclass in elite image management, with Zoe Saldaña serving as just another piece in the glossy puzzle.
