MEGHAN Markle is not only launching her lifestyle brand American Riviera Orchard soon, but will also debut a new cooking show on Netflix.
A PR expert has claimed that the show will be “make-or-break” for the Duchess of Sussex, whose had projects “flop” in the past due to them being “overhyped.”
The Netflix show, as part of Meghan and Harry’s $100m deal with the media company, is said to focus on “the joys of cooking, gardening, entertaining, and friendship.”
A Hollywood insider claims Meghan has wrapped up filming her new show, which is yet to have an air date or title.
According to The Daily Beast, it was filmed at a property two miles from Meghan’s Montecito mansion, which she shares with Prince Harry and their kids, Archie, five, and Lilibet, three.
PR expert Mark Borkowski told Closer that if Meghan’s show is a success, it could change everything for her.
He said: “This is a profound change of direction for Meghan – in some ways to become like a Martha Stewart. If Meghan can pull it off, it’s a very rich seam to mine.
“If it succeeds, then it’s a massive leap forward and will take away from a lot of the negativity she’s had. And it will make a lot of people take her very seriously.
“So, as an income stream, it’s huge… if she gets it right. But it could be make-or-break for the Duchess if the show is yet another failure.
“I don’t believe you can have so many failed ventures without people questioning what you’re going to do next.”
He also claimed past projects have flopped because they were “overhyped”.
This follows Meghan’s “disappearing 40×40 campaign” when she reached her 40th birthday.
The project saw 40 high profile women – including Adele and Stella McCartney – give 40 minutes of their time to help women to re-enter the workplace, but has since gone quiet and “fizzled out.”
Mark added that if Meghan’s cooking show is successful, she will be able to tap into a ginormous lifestyle market.
However, Neil Saunders of GlobalData Retail told the Financial Times that Meghan could struggle if she wants to be the next Martha Stewart.
He added that the high-end home and kitchenware is a crowded and competitive space, including with stars such as Gwyneth Paltrow and her Goop business, which took years to build and get investment.
Neil continued: “People think of Gwyneth as being a lifestyle guru, and that’s where the Duchess is going to struggle.
“She’s going to have to work very hard to build up expertise. The idea that she could be the next Martha Stewart does not at this stage feel plausible.”
This follows royal fans are waiting in anticipation for Meghan’s American Riviera Orchard brand to launch, with jams and wine on the list of potential items so far.
The promotional video features Meghan and Prince Harry is absent, suggesting the venture is going to be a solo project of Meghan’s.
Meghan teased the launch of American Riviera Orchard in March on Instagram, where the company bio reads “by Meghan, Duchess of Sussex.”
Brand strategist Lucie Green said this could be key to creating a ‘for women, by women’ narrative for the brand.
I don’t believe you can have so many failed ventures without people questioning what you’re going to do next
Mark Borkowski
She continued: “I think she’s always identified herself as a female entrepreneur and a woman in business. And connected with other female leaders and celebrities on this basis.”
In addition to this, the brand expert said Meghan “probably wants something of her own and historically her brand”.
Meghan is yet to make a sale, despite the initial excitement surrounding the promotion, and Lucie shared how the delay in selling could be down to Meghan trying to find investors for the company.
Lucie shared: “It could be that she’s still courting investment.
“If the brand is direct to consumer, versus wholesale, there will need to be a substantial marketing budget for consumer acquisition.
“It could be that the jams were the precursor and example to show proof of concept to talent and investors.”
This is a profound change of direction for Meghan – in some ways to become like a Martha Stewart. If Meghan can pull it off, it’s a very rich seam to mine
Mark Borkowski
While the website is not yet up and running, we have seen a few items that may be offered American Riviera Orchard.
So far, the Duchess of Sussex has sent branded strawberry jams to over 50 friends and influencers, including to Chrissy Teigen, Heather Dorak, Tracy Robbins and Kris Jenner.
Meghan also sent two further products – raspberry jam and dog treats – to Prince Harry’s polo pal Nacho Figueras.
The Duchess of Sussex is reportedly planning to launch a bottle of rosé and it’ll be the first item available for the public to buy, according to the Daily Mail.
MEGHAN Markle launched her brand's new Instagram page in March 2024, but no products are available to buy as of yet.
Industry insiders said the site will focus on home, food, garden and lifestyle goods.
Meghan kicked off promoting American Riviera Orchard by sending 50 branded jams to friends and influencers.
Those who received a package included Chrissy Teigen, Heather Dorak, Tracy Robbins and Kris Jenner.
She later unveiled two new products from her American Riviera Orchard brand just hours before Trooping the Colour.
Polo player and close friend of Prince Harry, Nacho Figueras was treated to a jar of raspberry jam from the collection as well as a jar of luxury dog biscuits for his pooch.
Meghan is known to be fond of the tipple, naming her now-defunct blog The Tig after her favourite wine, Tignanello, and drinking wine on her first date with Prince Harry at Soho House back in 2016.
If Meghan launches her own wine range, she’ll be following in the footsteps of numerous A-listers who also have branded bottles, including Cameron Diaz, George Clooney, Brad Pitt and Kylie Minogue.
Jay-Z famously owned Armand de Brignac Champagne before selling a 50 per cent stake for a reported $300million.
Meghan is expected to sell bedding pillows, soaps, home décor, fragrances, cookbooks and cookie mixes on American Rivera Orchard in due course.
Many royal fans have posted their enthusiasm for the launch on social media, with one saying: “So excited for these lovely heavenly jams from American Riviera Orchard, a wellness brand I will subscribe to!”
Another added: “The more things they add to the list of potential products for American Riviera Orchard, the more excited I get. I’ll buy everything there.”
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