Meghan Markle’s much-anticipated post-royal venture, originally envisioned as a sleek and culturally resonant lifestyle series, has taken an unfortunate turn, becoming mired in public relations controversy.
The Duchess of Sussex found herself in a difficult position when acclaimed chef and humanitarian José Andrés abruptly exited her upcoming Netflix project, Will Love Meghan. Sources close to the production suggest that his departure was triggered by what they described as an unexpected and highly unusual demand for a $50 million financial contribution.
According to insiders familiar with the situation, Meghan personally reached out to Andrés earlier this year, inviting him to play a prominent role in the second season of her cooking and wellness series. The show, designed to merge domestic sophistication with celebrity appeal, was seen as a strategic move to strengthen her personal brand. However, what began as a professional outreach reportedly shifted into something far more contentious. Convinced of the potential for a meaningful collaboration centered on social impact, Meghan allegedly pushed for Andrés not only to appear on the show but also to fund a charitable component.
Several production sources claim that this initiative would have required Andrés’ nonprofit, World Central Kitchen, to provide $50 million for a segment curated by Meghan herself. One anonymous Netflix executive described the pitch as transactional, rather than collaborative, saying it felt more like a veiled exchange: fund the segment in return for exposure. The proposal was seen as exploitative by many involved, and Andrés, known for his integrity and humanitarian dedication, was reportedly dismayed by the approach.
Only days after receiving the proposal, Andrés officially withdrew from all future involvement, informing his team that he had no interest in being part of the project under those terms. A source close to him noted his disappointment, suggesting he felt the initiative was less about genuinely helping others and more about shaping a flattering narrative for Meghan—at someone else’s expense. His swift exit caused ripples behind the scenes, with Netflix executives scrambling to contain the fallout. Questions quickly arose about how such a significant request could have been made without a full internal review.
Production insiders now describe the incident as a serious misstep that has shaken confidence in both the viability of the series and Meghan’s role as a creative leader. The backlash didn’t end with Andrés’s team. A production consultant revealed that even within Netflix, the move was met with surprise and frustration. Meghan’s proposal, which appeared to blur the lines between philanthropy and self-promotion, was viewed as an overreach. This episode is particularly damaging because it follows another failed attempt to secure high-profile involvement. Just months prior, efforts to bring Oprah Winfrey on board reportedly collapsed over similar concerns regarding the project's authenticity and intentions.
With Andrés’s exit, this marks the second time in under six months that a key figure has walked away from the series. Individuals connected to the production now report a significant decline in morale across both the crew and the creative team. One veteran producer involved from the beginning reflected on the changing tone behind the scenes, noting that what once felt like a mission-driven concept has come to be seen by many as a vanity project, driven more by image than impact.
