Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, is stepping back into the spotlight with her new Netflix series, With Love, Meghan. However, the eight-episode series, set to premiere on January 15, is already stirring controversy.
After a five-year absence from social media, Meghan took to Instagram on Thursday to unveil the trailer for the series. Shot in Montecito, California, the show is described by Netflix as a reinvention of the lifestyle genre, where Meghan, 43, shares personal tips on cooking, gardening, crafting, and more.
“I have been so excited to share this with you! I hope you love the show as much as I loved making it,” Meghan wrote in her Instagram post, which was accompanied by the trailer also available on YouTube.
The trailer, set to the tune of Do You Believe in Magic by The Lovin’ Spoonful, features Meghan chopping fresh vegetables, decorating cakes, and even tending to a beehive. In one brief clip, Prince Harry makes an appearance, though his involvement in the series appears limited. Guests on the show include renowned personalities like Roy Choi, Mindy Kaling, and Alice Waters.
Despite its glossy presentation, With Love, Meghan has been met with fierce criticism online. Many have called it “tone deaf” and “entitled,” arguing that the opulent lifestyle portrayed in the series feels out of touch amid growing economic struggles in the U.S.
Shana MacDonald, a communications expert from the University of Waterloo, attributes the backlash to the current cultural climate. “It’s a wrong time, wrong place moment,” MacDonald said, citing widespread discussions about class and income inequality.
The criticisms are not surprising, given Meghan’s polarizing public image. From her relationship with Prince Harry to her departure from royal duties, Meghan has often faced intense scrutiny. Carolyn Harris, a royal historian, noted that Meghan and Harry have consistently sought to share their story on their terms, bypassing traditional royal media channels.
Amid the backlash, others argue the series has its merits. Zorianna Zurba, a communications professor, noted that it’s refreshing to see a Black woman in a space historically dominated by white hosts like Martha Stewart and Ina Garten. Zurba added that while the show may romanticize domestic work, it also offers visibility for women of color in luxury lifestyle programming.
Despite divided opinions, With Love, Meghan represents another chapter in Meghan Markle’s evolving narrative. Whether it will charm viewers or deepen the controversy surrounding her remains to be seen.
Source: Swifteradio.com
