Move Over Martha? Meghan Markle Tries Her Hand at Lifestyle TV and the Critics Are Out

So Meghan Markle has a brand new Netflix show called "With Love Meghan". It's all about her passions like cooking entertaining and generally living the good life in sunny Montecito. Think home tips delicious recipes and maybe a sprinkle of royal-adjacent charm right? Well the show is out and folks are definitely talking but maybe not all for the reasons Meghan might have hoped.

'With Love Meghan' Ratings Are In: Solid But Not Exactly Setting Netflix on Fire - Is It Missing the Markle Sparkle?

Let's get down to numbers. "With Love Meghan" did make it into Netflix's Global Top 10 list hitting tenth place which isn't bad. It snagged about 2.6 million views and around 12.6 million hours watched in its first week. In the UK it did even better reaching number seven on their Top 10 and in the US it landed at number ten.

season two is already filmed and ready to drop this fall. That is a positive sign Netflix must see something in it right? And Meghan's got some celeb pals popping up on the show like Mindy Kaling who is also doing pretty well on Netflix herself. It seems like Meghan is trying to carve out a space in the lifestyle world showing off her domestic side and all those things she is passionate about.

Critics and Experts Weigh In: Inauthenticity and 'Dictator in High Heels' Persona Haunt Meghan's New Venture

But here is where things get a bit less rosy. While some crew members are gushing about how "friendly" and "approachable" Meghan was on set gifting monogrammed spoons and creating a "chill" vibe not everyone is convinced. Some royal experts and viewers are calling foul saying the show feels well... inauthentic .

Some critics are using words like "mercilessly torn apart" and "inauthentic" to describe the reaction online. One expert even pointed out that back in September 2024 Meghan was described as a "dictator in high heels" who supposedly made grown men cry. Ouch. It seems like those older bullying allegations are still casting a shadow and some folks just aren't buying the "sweet domestic goddess" image.

One royal expert Hilary Fordwich put it bluntly saying she needs more convincing to believe Meghan's "sweet-as-jam persona" is real. Another expert Kinsey Schofield thinks Meghan's team is pushing these positive crew stories to distract from the negative buzz and that Netflix might be getting a little worried about the show's reception. Ouch again.

Royal Chef Disses 'Pretentious' Series and Compares Meghan to... Well Not Martha Stewart Exactly

Even a royal chef Richard Corrigan who has actually cooked for the royal family chimed in and he wasn't exactly singing Meghan's praises either. He called "With Love Meghan" "a bit pretentious " saying he doesn't like the "pretense" and that California is "all very Hollywood" and "samey" unlike Britain. He even went as far as to say Meghan and Harry have become a "burden" to King Charles and that they should just "buy yourself a nice pad and entertain and enjoy yourself but don’t become a burden." Strong words!

And while he didn't directly compare Meghan to Martha Stewart he did make a comment that hints at the difference in public perception. He said he cooked for the Queen "free of charge of course" but when asked about Meghan he said "I’d let [Markle] in the restaurant for sure but the queen had the red carpet rolled out. Would Meghan? I don’t think so." It suggests a different level of respect and established public image. Martha Stewart has definitely earned that "red carpet" treatment in the lifestyle world.

Martha Stewart vs. Meghan Markle: Is There Really a Comparison?

So what's the takeaway here? While Meghan is giving the lifestyle guru thing a go the early buzz suggests she has a long way to go before reaching Martha Stewart levels of domestic icon status. Martha has built a decades-long empire on her expertise in cooking homekeeping and entertaining. She started with catering then books magazines TV shows and a whole range of products. Her brand is built on perceived authenticity and a certain level of aspirational perfectionism even with her own bumps in the road.

Meghan on the other hand is newer to this game and is still trying to define her brand beyond her royal connections. The "inauthenticity" criticisms and the mixed reviews for "With Love Meghan" point to a challenge in connecting with audiences in the same way Martha Stewart has. Maybe season two will turn things around or maybe Meghan's path lies in a different direction. But for now the domestic goddess crown still seems firmly in Martha's possession.

Key Takeaways from the 'With Love Meghan' Buzz:

1. Mixed Reception: Meghan Markle's Netflix show "With Love Meghan" is getting mixed reviews and facing criticisms of inauthenticity.
2. Solid but Not Blockbuster Ratings: The show reached Netflix's Top 10 but viewership is significantly lower than Meghan and Harry's docuseries.
3. Bullying Allegations Lingering: Past bullying accusations are impacting public perception and casting doubt on Meghan's "sweet" persona.
4. Expert Skepticism: Royal experts and media figures are questioning the show's authenticity and Meghan's ability to revamp her image.
5. Martha Stewart Comparison: Implicit comparison to Martha Stewart highlights the challenge for Meghan to establish a truly authentic and respected lifestyle brand.