Meghan Markle once stood as a global symbol of modern royalty, a progressive force poised to redefine celebrity influence and philanthropic storytelling. Armed with a $100 million Netflix deal and a $20 million Spotify partnership, the Duchess of Sussex appeared ready to dominate the streaming world with meaningful content that championed women, wellness, and personal reinvention. But as of now, that ambitious vision appears to be unraveling—fast.
The centerpiece of the latest controversy is With Love, Meghan, a lifestyle-infused docuseries that debuted on Netflix with much anticipation and a marketing push that most creators could only dream of. Positioned as a warm, personal journey into Markle’s life and passions—including cooking, mindfulness, and friendship—the series was meant to reintroduce her on her own terms. Instead, it has become a lightning rod for criticism and a cautionary tale in celebrity branding.
Despite high expectations, the series failed to make a meaningful impact on viewers. According to multiple data aggregators such as Nielsen and FlixPatrol, With Love, Meghan did not rank in the top 10 for viewership in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, or Australia during its debut week. It was outperformed by reruns, foreign-language dramas, and even decades-old sitcoms. For a project with global visibility and brand association with Netflix, the result was nothing short of a commercial disaster.
Critics across the board were even more scathing than audiences. The New York Times dismissed the show as “drowning in narcissism,” while The Guardian called it “a disaster of self-importance wrapped in a wellness bow.” The Daily Telegraph awarded it a single star, declaring it “mind-numbingly shallow.” Perhaps most biting of all was The Daily Beast, which labeled it “a bloated influencer diary masquerading as a documentary,” accusing Markle of crafting content not for an audience, but for self-promotion.
Even traditionally supportive media outlets like Vogue, Vanity Fair, and Variety—once champions of Meghan’s modern feminist image—were notably subdued in their coverage. Variety, which previously featured Markle on its cover, simply described the series as “a Montecito ego trip not worth taking.”
At the core of the criticism lies a central concern: authenticity. Body language experts and psychologists have weighed in, arguing that Markle’s frequent on-screen emotional moments felt staged and overly rehearsed. Observers noted the absence of tears in scenes where she appeared to cry, as well as repetitive facial gestures that seemed more performative than sincere. Social media responded in kind, with memes mocking her emotional expressions and hashtags trending for days.
Behind the scenes, industry insiders claim the fallout has been significant. Netflix, once eager to promote the Sussexes as streaming royalty, is reportedly re-evaluating the broader partnership. Some executives have privately described With Love, Meghan as a “vanity project with no clear audience,” a critical misstep for a platform driven by engagement and watch time. Markle’s absence from Netflix’s upcoming 2025 content preview only added to speculation that her standing within the company has been downgraded.
And this isn’t the first time her media ventures have stumbled.
Her Spotify podcast, Archetypes, was initially framed as an exploration of female stereotypes through conversations with guests ranging from Mariah Carey to Serena Williams. But after just 12 episodes over two years, Spotify abruptly pulled the plug. Reports emerged that Markle delegated interviews to staff members, and that her involvement in production was limited. Spotify’s head of podcast innovation, Bill Simmons, publicly referred to the couple as “grifters,” a quote that reverberated through both the media and entertainment industries.
The criticism was echoed by other industry giants. Joe Rogan mocked the podcast’s tone, while even supporters questioned its depth and originality. Despite winning a Webby Award, critics noted it was a fan-voted accolade, not one reflecting peer-reviewed merit.
As her streaming ambitions falter, Markle’s lifestyle brand American Riviera Orchard is facing scrutiny of its own. The venture, which includes homemade jam and bath products distributed to influencers, has reportedly raised regulatory concerns. Critics point to potential noncompliance with FDA guidelines around labeling and distribution, especially if any of the products are classified as ingestible or cosmetic.
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