Meghan Markle’s latest venture—a Netflix lifestyle series titled *With Love, Meghan*—has barely made its debut, but it’s already drawing sharp criticism. The Duchess of Sussex, 43, released a trailer for the series Thursday, featuring her cooking, gardening, and mingling with celebrity friends like Mindy Kaling, chef Roy Choi, culinary legend Alice Waters, and her *Suits* co-star Abigail Spencer.
While Markle appears thrilled about the project, others are less impressed. Conservative commentator Meghan McCain wasted no time calling out the tone-deaf nature of the series.
“Now that she wants to be American again instead of British aristocracy, what she seems to forget is Americans want real, raw, uncensored,” McCain wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
Markle and her husband, Prince Harry, famously left royal life behind in 2020, claiming a desire for privacy and a fresh start. However, their high-profile projects—including a $100 million Netflix deal—have kept them squarely in the spotlight. McCain, like many, is unimpressed by Markle’s pivot to a carefully curated American persona.
Admitting she initially supported Markle, McCain said her opinion shifted after the Duchess “disrespected the royal family.” For McCain, the glossy Netflix series epitomizes Markle’s detachment from everyday struggles faced by millions of Americans.
“All of this—even in the trailer—is highly curated, produced, and out of touch,” McCain wrote. “We are a country in rage, uncertainty, and intensity right now. This concept is ill-advised.”
McCain went further, offering a constructive alternative. “I would have told her to do a show helping bring fresh food to food deserts in low-income neighborhoods. Do something to help people instead of your ego,” she wrote.
The biting critique underscores a growing frustration with celebrity culture, where elites like Markle are often perceived as prioritizing vanity projects over meaningful contributions to society.
“This is why the world doesn’t like you, nothing else,” McCain continued. “Just completely and utterly tone-deaf to the moment.”
The Sussexes signed their massive deal with Netflix in 2020, but it remains unclear if the streaming giant will renew their contract when it expires this summer. With mixed reviews for their previous projects and mounting criticism, the couple’s long-term viability in Hollywood is far from certain.
Markle, undeterred by the backlash, shared the trailer on her newly launched Instagram account, writing, “I have been so excited to share this with you! I hope you love the show as much as I loved making it. Wishing you all a fantastic new year! Thanks to our amazing crew and the team @netflix. Beyond grateful for the support—and fun!”
The eight-episode series, directed by Michael Steed, is set to premiere on January 15. Each 33-minute installment promises a peek into Markle’s carefully polished world. Produced through Archewell Productions, the series is being marketed as a heartfelt exploration of love and connection.
While Markle may revel in her new venture, Americans are grappling with a much starker reality. Skyrocketing grocery prices, economic uncertainty, and cultural tensions dominate daily life for millions. Against this backdrop, a high-budget lifestyle series showcasing glamorous parties, organic gardens, and celebrity friendships feels painfully out of touch.
McCain’s critique resonates because it cuts to the heart of what many Americans feel: a growing disconnect between elites like Markle and the struggles of ordinary citizens. As the Duchess of Sussex continues her quest for relevance, she may want to heed the advice of critics like McCain and refocus her efforts on projects that address real needs rather than polishing her personal brand.
Until then, *With Love, Meghan* may serve as a glossy reminder of just how far removed some celebrities are from the people they claim to inspire.
