Skip To...
Meghan Markle‘s Netflix cooking show continues gaining negative reviews across the media, with Bake Off judge Prue Leith becoming the latest critic. After much anticipation and an unfortunate setback, Markle’s cooking show, With Love, Meghan, finally dropped on the streaming giant, showcasing the Duchess’ love for cooking, gardening and hospitality amid fun gatherings with friends. Despite sparing no expense in bringing the show to life, it wound up attracting fewer viewers than expected, remarkably fewer than her previous Netflix shows like Harry & Meghan.
Aside from the unimpressive viewership, the show has faced scrutiny from critics who have all but dubbed Markle’s latest Netflix project a flop. While appearing on Good Morning Britain alongside her husband John Playfair, Bake Off judge Prue Leith discussed the launch of the second series of their show Cotswold Kitchen. The conversation quickly stirred towards Meghan Markle’s new cooking show, with Leith dishing her final verdict on the duchess.
Prue Leith Admits She’s Not a Fan of Meghan After Cooking Show
When host, Kate Carraway and Rob Rinder asked if she has seen Markle’s Netflix cooking show, With Love, Meghan, Prue Leith explained she hadn’t seen the show as she was no fan of the Suits alum. However, the Bake Off judge had read enough about the show to have an opinion, and offer her brutal take. Leith divulged,
“I’ve only read about it but I honestly wouldn’t watch it. I’m not a Meghan Markle fan. All that touchy-feely, mindfulness, endless worrying about what creams you put on your hands… I just think there’s more to life than how you look and how your friends think of you.”
Going further, Prue Leith, who is a South African cookery writer and owner of a string of restaurants, added that she had “probably alienated half of my fans” with her harsh judgement on Meghan Markle’s show. The 85-year-old’s comments come after comedian Katherine Ryan ripped into the 43-year-old’s series on her podcast Telling Everybody Everything, pointing out inconsistencies in her words. Speaking on her podcast, Ryan divulged,
“I liked Meghan Markle. I was rooting for Meghan Markle… though she is very Hollywood, even for me, I don’t like that in people.”
Highlighting one of Markle’s contrasting statements, the comedian noted,
“She said on her new Netflix show that they ate TV dinners growing up. But then in an old interview, she was like, ‘we would eat farm fresh.’ Her whole act just seems very manicured and very forced.”
Irish presenter Vogue Williams, who has ties with the royal family via husband Spencer Matthews, has also trashed Meghan Markle’s cooking show. Speaking on her podcast My Therapist Ghosted Me, Williams questioned the former actress’ authenticity in her attempt to create the perfect “home maker” persona.
Fans Rally Behind Markle Amid Brutal Take-Down
Despite the slew of criticism pouring in on all fronts, Markle’s fans remain smitten with her intensely critically panned show, turning the tides on anyone who dared suggest otherwise. Addressing the negative remarks trailing the Netflix cooking show, fans believe it to be a reflection of critics’ biased perception of Markle for reasons other than her actual performance on her new lifestyle show. Explaining people hated Markle’s show, a fan shot on Reddit,
“Jealousy, misinformation, due to an outright targeted campaign against her on behalf of the firm, and racism. Not that complicated.”
Another suggested a different reason behind the widespread vitrol, saying sarcastically,
“I’m just mad she’s out there living my best life without me. Seriously, what I wouldn’t give to be able to love that life with my kids when they were little.”
Aside from the scrutiny her Netflix cooking show has racked up, Meghan Markle has faced the heat in recent days over copyright and plagiarism issues. While no legal actions have ensued just yet, she faces allegations of copyright infringement, theft of ideas and difficulty securing a trademark for her new lifestyle brand. These hurdles leave many certain that it’s only a matter of time before Markle is hit with a hefty lawsuit that could send all her efforts crumbling down.
