Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex and former “Suits” actress, is trying to break into the lifestyle industry with her new Netflix series, With Love, Meghan. However, the show’s premiere has been delayed until March 4 due to the wildfires in Los Angeles. Many people have been comparing her to lifestyle icons like Martha Stewart and Nigella Lawson, who both overcame public scandals to rebuild their careers. She also visited victims of the Los Angeles fire recently. She took photos with teen girls affected.
Meghan Markle Quietly Volunteers to Support Altadena Teen Girls Following Devastating Wildfires in California https://t.co/Ff4bNhcRel
— TOWN&COUNTRY (@TandCmag) January 15, 2025
Despite the positive marketing surrounding her new series, some royal experts believe Meghan has a long way to go before she can be considered a successful lifestyle guru. Helena Chard, a British broadcaster, said that while Meghan’s team is trying hard to brand her in a positive light, the character she is portraying doesn’t seem authentic. She feels that Meghan’s image of a “housewifey” role comes across as out of place and unempowering, especially given her public feuds with family and friends.
The comparison between Meghan and Stewart and Lawson was first made by the New York Times, noting that both women were able to bounce back after facing public crises. Stewart, for instance, served time in prison in 2004 for insider trading and other charges but rebuilt her brand into a successful lifestyle empire. Lawson also faced a scandalous public divorce and admitted to taking cocaine during a court case, but she managed to bounce back with new projects like cookbooks and TV appearances. Both women found ways to turn their negative press into a profitable new phase in their careers.
While Meghan’s series and lifestyle aspirations have yet to prove successful, it will take time for her to find her place in this competitive industry.
