_edited.png)
Meghan Markle’s decision to delay the launch of her Netflix lifestyle and cooking series, With Love, Meghan, has sparked skepticism. Celebrities and royal watchers, including actress Justine Bateman-- who labeled the Sussex's "disaster tourists"-- are questioning whether it’s a calculated PR move rather than an act of genuine compassion in the midst of Los Angeles' disastrous fires. Originally slated for release on January 15, the show has now been pushed to March 4th, a move announced just three days before its debut.
In her statement, the Duchess of Sussex thanked Netflix for supporting the delay, stating, “I’m thankful to my partners at Netflix for supporting me in delaying the launch, as we focus on the needs of those impacted by the wildfires in my home state of California.”
This move has been met with high praise from her loyal fans, but critics and commentators are concerned that the announcement’s timing is suspiciously convenient, allowing Meghan to garner praise for her sensitivity while avoiding potential backlash for promoting a series centered on California’s luxury lifestyle during a crisis.
The trailer for the show, announced January 2nd, was released in the midst of two US terrorist attacks making her show seem all the more tone deaf. The trailer alone has received remarkably low down votes on YouTube and extreme criticism for being out of touch and "nauseating". Delaying the show by this long- nearly 2 months- would allow for the internal Netflix team to recalibrate to give it it's best shot.
The delay comes on the heels of the couple’s recent volunteer efforts and appearances that have also raised eyebrows. Meghan and Prince Harry visited an evacuation site in Pasadena where World Central Kitchen was distributing food and supplies to wildfire victims. They also donated to relief efforts through their Archewell Foundation. While Pasadena Mayor Victor Gordo praised their actions, describing them as “caring people,” others noted that their involvement was widely publicized, undermining the claim of anonymity.
With immediate coverage by TMZ and People Magazine, their appearance had immediate exposure with critics pointing out that these orchestrated photo opportunities seem more aligned with brand-building than genuine altruism. They were given priority to areas homeowners were yet to access and treated the event like they were still Senior working royals, which certainly rubbed fans the wrong way. What exactly allows them this exclusive treatment and what contributions they offered are largely unknown.
The joint appearance by Harry and Meghan is the first they've been spotted publicly together since September of 2024, quelling divorce speculation.
PR experts had already voiced concerns about the optics of releasing With Love, Meghan amidst the devastating wildfires. Experts are speculating that airing the show during such a time would appear “insensitive” and “tone deaf,” suggesting that the delay was likely more about damage control than genuine concern for wildfire victims. Given that the series highlights Meghan’s California lifestyle and aspirational living, postponing the release appears to be a strategic decision aimed at protecting what they can of her highly scrutinized public image.
The show itself has been described by Netflix’s Tudum as a blend of “practical how-to’s and candid conversation,” featuring Meghan’s “playfulness over perfection.” However, the premise of the series, which promotes creating beauty in everyday life, risks coming across as out of touch with the struggles of wildfire victims who have lost their homes and livelihoods. The polished branding and focus on lifestyle aesthetics seem disconnected from the harsh realities faced by those affected by the crisis. Some have argued this could be escapism TV, but the garish nature to series seems to be a long-expired format of entertainment that has gone the way of the Kardashians.
The Sussex's appearance in Pasadena this weekend isn’t the first time the duo have been accused of leveraging humanitarian crises for publicity. Meghan Markle also appeared just hours after the tragic school shooting in Uvalde, Texas in 2022 with a camera crew in tow. While her supporters hail her involvement as heartfelt in these situations, detractors argue that their actions often align conveniently with their personal and professional agendas, like selling her book or releasing her show. The timing of this delaying announcement and the media coverage of their volunteer efforts reinforce these criticisms, bringing them to the center of media scrutiny once again.
As California continues to grapple with the continuation and aftermath of the wildfires, the delay of With Love, Meghan may ultimately do little to change public perception. For many, this latest move is less about genuine empathy and more about ensuring the Duchess’s brand fights to be untarnished. When the series does premiere in March, it will certainly face increased scrutiny, with audiences questioning whether the show’s content aligns with the values Meghan so publicly claims to champion.
Ironically, a March 4th release now places the show exactly one year on from the launch of her now defunct American Riviera Orchard brand, which is suspected to make a resurrection in the show, if she can get the trademark issues resolved before March.
Comments