In an unexpected twist to Meghan Markle’s post-royal journey, her forthcoming Netflix cooking show is already stirring up controversy months ahead of its debut.
The project, tentatively titled “At Home with Meghan,” was intended to mark her grand return to the streaming giant after the mixed reviews of her previous series, “Harry and Meghan.”
However, insiders reveal that the Duchess of Sussex recently stormed out of a significant meeting with Netflix executives, overwhelmed by a staggering 20,000 emails from subscribers expressing their discontent with the show’s concept.
Sources close to the production shared that Meghan entered the meeting anticipating applause for her innovative culinary vision.
Instead, she was met with a wave of criticism, with many viewers threatening to cancel their subscriptions if the show proceeded as planned.
An insider who witnessed the dramatic scene noted that Meghan was unprepared for such backlash, highlighting the disconnect between her expectations and the reality of audience sentiment.
The ambitious cooking show, which reportedly set Netflix back more than $10 million, aimed to feature Meghan preparing upscale comfort food from her lavish Montecito home, valued at $14.5 million.
Each episode was designed to showcase her personal stories while she tackled various cooking techniques.
However, critics have labeled the entire endeavor as tone-deaf, suggesting it fails to resonate with the average viewer.
Celebrity producer Marcus Thompson remarked that the focus seemed less on genuine cooking and more on crafting a glamorous lifestyle image.
Further complicating matters, leaked production notes revealed that professional chefs were brought in to perfect recipes off-screen, which Meghan would then attempt to recreate on camera.
This revelation ignited outrage among cooking enthusiasts and royal watchers alike, who accused her of lacking authenticity—an ongoing critique since her exit from royal duties.
Royal commentator Victoria Howard pointed out that Meghan has long portrayed herself as a domestic expert, yet before marrying Prince Harry, she was better known for her lifestyle blog than her culinary skills.
The flood of complaints from Netflix subscribers reflects widespread frustration over what many perceive as another attempt by the Duchess to reshape her public persona.
Common themes in the emails included skepticism about her cooking credentials, concerns regarding the show’s hefty budget amid global economic struggles, and a desire for genuine culinary talent rather than another celebrity vanity project.
One particularly critical email, shared during the contentious meeting, encapsulated the viewers’ sentiments: “We want real chefs with real experience, not another celebrity vanity project.”
The meeting culminated in a dramatic exit, with Meghan reportedly throwing her designer binder across the table and declaring, “You clearly don’t understand my vision or my worth.” After this outburst, she left the room, leaving her team and Netflix executives to deal with the fallout.
Meanwhile, Prince Harry, who was not present during the meeting, has been making frantic calls to Netflix executives in an effort to salvage the situation, trying to rescue what would have been their third major collaboration with the platform.
However, industry experts suggest that Netflix might be experiencing fatigue with the Sussexes and could be secretly relieved to have a reason to shelve the project.
The cooking show debacle arrives at a challenging moment for the couple, whose content creation company, Archule Productions, has struggled to deliver hits since signing their lucrative Netflix deal.
Their documentary series garnered initial interest but failed to sustain viewer engagement, and other projects have faced numerous delays.
Financial analysts warn that cancelling the cooking show could cost Meghan and Harry millions in potential earnings, raising concerns about their ability to sustain their lavish lifestyle in California without a steady stream of content.
Media analyst Jennifer Chen noted that the couple seems to be running out of compelling stories to share, emphasizing that substance must eventually take precedence over style.
This latest controversy has reignited criticism of the Sussexes’ transition from royal life to commercial ventures, with royal watchers noting a pattern of missteps.
Howard highlighted the irony of someone who struggled with royal responsibilities believing they could thrive in the cutthroat world of streaming content creation.
Sources indicate that Meghan has retreated to her Montecito estate, feeling both devastated and frustrated with Netflix for not defending her vision more vigorously.
As news of the troubled cooking show circulates, social media has erupted with memes and jokes poking fun at Meghan’s culinary aspirations.
References to her infamous avocado toast controversy and suggestions for future shows, like “How to Cook Up Drama,” have become particularly popular.
Critics are also questioning the timing of a cooking show centered around opulence, especially when many are grappling with rising living costs.
With the custom kitchen set now sitting idle—a costly reminder of another failed venture—the implications of this setback could be significant for the Sussexes’ relationship with Netflix and their broader media ambitions.
Media consultant Robert Martinez noted that network executives are increasingly wary of projects associated with the couple, as their brand may be perceived more as a liability than an asset.