Stewart Comments on Markle’s New Endeavor
Renowned lifestyle icon Martha Stewart has recently remarked on Meghan Markle’s entry into the lifestyle industry with her new brand, As Ever. The comments followed Markle’s launch earlier this year, and they have sparked conversation given Stewart’s status in the field.
A Cautious Hope
During an interview with Yahoo Lifestyle, Stewart, 83, expressed uncertainty about the Duchess of Sussex’s expertise. “Meghan, I don’t really know very well. I hope she knows what she’s talking about,” she stated. Stewart emphasized the importance of authenticity, asserting that being knowledgeable is key to success in the lifestyle domain.
Comparisons to Peers
While Stewart was hesitant to extend praise to Markle, her insights about another lifestyle figure, Gwyneth Paltrow, were notably more positive. “Gwyneth has been very successful; she created quite an interesting body of businesses,” Stewart remarked about the founder of Goop, who also boasts an Oscar for her acting career. She described Paltrow as “pretty powerful” and acknowledged her success as an entrepreneur.
Markle’s Lifestyle Brand Under Scrutiny
Markle’s rebranding as a lifestyle expert has faced criticism, with several royal experts labeling her efforts as “inauthentic.” The comparison to well-established figures like Stewart and Nigella Lawson has raised eyebrows, particularly following the launch of Markle’s Netflix series, “With Love, Meghan.”
Viewership Struggles
Released in March, Markle’s series did not perform well on the platform. The New York Times noted its resemblance to the successful ventures of similar lifestyle personalities, yet revealed that it failed to break into the top 300 most-watched titles on Netflix. Between January and June, the series was ranked 383rd, accumulating just 5.3 million views—a low figure for a Netflix original.
Stewart’s Opinions on Markle’s Projects
Stewart herself admitted she had yet to see Markle’s show. When asked during an April interview on “Access Hollywood,” she inquired, “Has it started?” and indicated curiosity about viewing it. She stated, “I’ll watch an episode and see how she does.”
A Mixed Reception
As the dust settles on the initial response to Markle’s series, critics have been vocal, with the program receiving an IMDB score of just 3.2 out of 10. Though Netflix plans to proceed with a second season of Markle’s cooking show, it will mark the conclusion of their partnership with her and Prince Harry, who reportedly entered a $100 million deal with the streaming giant.
As the landscape of lifestyle branding evolves, all eyes remain on how figures like Stewart and Markle navigate their respective paths.
