Meghan Markle tries to revive brand like Martha Stewart but is ‘inauthentic’: expert

Meghan Markle, a former American actress, is trying out a new role this year: domestic diva.

The Duchess of Sussex’s highly anticipated Netflix series, “With Love, Meghan,” has been pushed back to March 4 due to the Los Angeles wildfires. Ahead of its premiere, the former “Suits” star has been compared to Martha Stewart and Nigella Lawson, two lifestyle gurus who have overcome bad press.

But some royal experts believe the mother-of-three has a long way to go before she is welcomed into the coveted realm.

Meghan Markle postponed the release of her lifestyle series due to the California wildfires

“Meghan’s team has helped put a very positive marketing and branding spin on her Netflix series,” British broadcaster and photographer Helena Chard told Fox News Digital.

“Over time she may find success in the lifestyle space,” Chard said. “However, it will take a long time because Meghan’s character does not fit that sickly sweet image.”

“It feels inauthentic,” Chard claimed. “Like she’s trying to fit in somehow by playing a very old housewife… very awkward and vulnerable. She’s badmouthed most of her family and friends, and that’s for sure. But the picture of love and happiness is not formed.

The three women were first compared to each other The New York Times. He noted that Meghan’s plan to dominate the lifestyle follows a “profitable” blueprint that has worked for both Stewart, 83, and Lawson, 65.

Both women were once at the center of public crises, the outlet reported.

In 2004, Stewart served five months in prison after pleading guilty to insider trading charges, including obstruction of justice and conspiracy. After serving time, she rebuilt her brand and made a successful comeback as a successful entrepreneur and TV personality.

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Lawson’s failed marriage Millionaire art collector Charles Saatchi and his stormy home life were the subject of tabloids. This escalated when he was photographed holding her throat outside a London restaurant, which soon followed their divorce in 2013.

Testifying this year at the fraud trial of two former aides, the celebrity chef admitted in court that he had taken cocaine but denied being a habitual user.

Like Stewart, Lawson put the past behind him and started over. She came out on top with a new cookbook and appeared on several cooking specials. These days, she is more recognized for her unique pronunciation of “microwave” that went viral.

“Martha Stewart is a leader in her field,” Chard said. “He achieved great success not only through his talent but also through his own and immense drive and determination.

“The same can be said of the much-loved Nigella, who is a sensational chef and host. She also has the most enigmatic, authentic, fun personality.”

“I’ve been watching Megan’s lifestyle series for a while,” said Chard. “She needs to add more to make her show modern and interesting. If she was a trained expert in the field, it would also help. People would then buy the brand instead of suffocating on smoke and mirrors. are what she is making.”

Before joining the British royal familyMeghan’s lifestyle blog was The Tig. It was called off after she got engaged to Harry in 2017. One of her first steps as a member of the royal family was to partner with Hubb Community Kitchen for a fundraising cookbook.

“It feels inauthentic. Like she’s trying to fit in somehow by playing a very old housewife… very awkward. She’s disrespected most of her family and friends. said, and it certainly does not picture love and happiness.”

— Helena Chard, British broadcaster and photographer.

But over the years, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have made headlines for airing their grievances. After moving to California in 2020, she gave a televised interview to Oprah Winfrey where she detailed her struggles with royal life. Then in late 2022, they unveiled their controversial Netflix documentary “Harry and Meghan,” followed by Harry’s explosive memoir “Spear.” Each launch highlighted new allegations about her time as a royal.

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Some experts say a completely different character — one that’s already been done many times — would be a tough sell.

“Martha Stewart was really the first mover in this space and, some would argue, she created the entire lifestyle industry,” says Doug Eldridge, an agent, celebrity branding and marketing expert, and Achilles PR. founder told Fox News Digital.

“In the three decades since then… the industry has become increasingly saturated,” he said. “That’s not to say Meghan can’t carve out her own corner of the lifestyle market, but it’s going to be a lot harder to do than it was just a decade ago. Among 35 people with swimmers, pool noodles, It’s hard to distinguish—much less dominate—when it’s crowded.”

“You have to change your stroke or swim in a completely different direction,” Eldridge added.

British royalist Hilary Fordwich told Fox News Digital that she doesn’t feel the 43-year-old has found her destination yet. He claimed that the series already seemed to miss the mark in showing the true side of Meghan.

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“Meghan should focus on her brand instead,” explained Fordwich. “She’s extremely thin, so she should take advantage of that in her branding… Americans, and indeed many people around the world, as much as possible.” He is, will accept to be so thin… It is impossible to have his personality while indulging in sugar, cakes and such. Her trailer should suggest that she has a personality that she obviously shows off when she cooks. Share healthy recipes instead.”

“Also true for brands, He brought down a prince.” said Fordwich.” How about being totally authentic for once and giving tips to single ladies on how to land an eligible bachelor? Many would also like to act. How about acting jobs?”

“In other words, he has to be authentic to who he is,” Fordwich added.

But not everyone agrees.

“I think it’s quite the opposite – what can Martha and Nigella learn from Meghan?” Royal expert Ian Pelham-Turner told Fox News Digital.

“Meghan wins consistently, hands down, because she has so much empathy for real people,” he said. “When she started cooking with Muslim women and then creating fundraising opportunities, she won the hearts of ethnic communities – that’s the real Meghan.

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“Nigella and Martha are great. They use their intelligence to connect. Meghan connects from the heart,” he argued. “It’s up to Americans whether she succeeds or not. I hope she wins. She deserves it too.”

“With love, Meghan” is Duchess of Sussex’s first solo hosting Project for Netflix. Last year, he also gave a glimpse of his upcoming lifestyle brand, American Riviera Orchard. Several of her famous friends showed off her strawberry jam on Instagram.