The major challenge Meghan Markle is facing after filming $100m Netflix show which is ‘too important to fail’
MEGHAN Markle has reportedly finished filming a cooking show, but faces “fierce competition”, claims a brand expert.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex signed a deal with Netflix worth $100m and the media company will be “looking for a return on their investment”.
The currently untitled project is based in Montecito and is being produced by The Intellectual Property Corporation, part of Sony Pictures Television.
It is yet to have an air date, but will “celebrate the joys of cooking, gardening, entertaining, and friendship”.
Andrew told Fabulous: “All eyes will be on Meghan’s new show delivering big numbers for Netflix.
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“They signed a $100M deal with Harry and Meghan in 2020 and are looking for a return on their investment.
“No doubt Netflix will promote the show heavily, however, will be acutely aware of the fierce competition in the cooking and home space.
“This combined, with the fact that this is a new avenue for Meghan and comes off the back of Harry’s Spare backlash, will add to the pressure.”
Opens doors
The brand expert said that the cooking show is a “huge opportunity” for Meghan and “one she needs to nail.”
Andrew added: “It aligns perfectly with her personal interests as well as that of her household products brand, American Riviera Orchard, and her entry into the culinary world.
“This project is too important to fail, and no doubt Meghan and Netflix will combine forces to ensure it doesn’t.”
If the show is a big success, it could open a lot of doors for the Duchess of Sussex, claims talent agent and PR expert Carla Speight.
Carla said: "Meghan has a great opportunity, unlike any she’s had before with this new show.
"She can finally show the world who she is behind the glam, the gossip and the speculation.
";We’ve only ever met the Dutchess as a Hollywood star and as the Duke’s fiancee, and now wife.
"Being able to see Meghan in an authentic and intimate setting gives her the opportunity to showcase who she is and why Harry fell in love with her in the first place.
"Off the back of this show, there will be a wealth of opportunities for them.
This project is too important to fail, and no doubt Meghan and Netflix will combine forces to ensure it doesn’t
Andrew Bloch
"Recipe books, Gardening and cooking equipment, live shows, brand deals, the list is endless. They will do incredibly well from this."
The show is said to have been filmed at a property “two miles from Meghan’s Montecito mansion”, where Meghan lives with Prince Harry, 39, and their two kids, Prince Archie, five, and Princess Lilibet, three.
Meghan's lifestyle brand
Royal fans are also waiting in anticipation for Meghan Markle’s American Riviera Orchard brand to launch, with jams and wine on the list of potential items so far.
Previously the Duchess of Sussex ran her now-defunct lifestyle blog The Tig, which featured recipes, travel and fashion guides, but she shut it down when she started dating Harry.
Brand strategist Lucie added: “I think she has more credibility and has historically leaned more towards lifestyle projects vs Harry who has remained mainly philanthropic in his focus.”
Meghan teased the launch of American Riviera Orchard in March on Instagram, where the company bio reads “by Meghan, Duchess of Sussex”.
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.
She can finally show the world who she is behind the glam, the gossip and the speculation
Carla Speight
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.”
Harry & Meg's business flops
Despite the relentless media coverage and hype generated by Prince Harry and Meghan Markle through their projects, some ventures haven't gone as well as others.
- Meghan had her upcoming animated series Pearl chucked out by Netflix while in the development stage.
- Then 42-year-old was said to have been "uncharacteristically quiet" following the loss of her £18million Spotify deal in June last year.
- While Spare initially sold a staggering number of copies demand soon dwindled and a year on its popularity has plummeted with major retailers slashing prices in half.
- Meanwhile, their Netflix documentary also took a hit and the Duke and Duchess are believed to have been paid only half of their reported £78million contract.
- The pair were poked fun at by comedian Jo Koy at the Golden Globes for "being paid millions by Netflix for doing nothing".
- Harry's series, Heart of Invictus, shedding light on the Olympic-style games he started for wounded ex-service competitors also flopped.
- Archewell figures in December last year revealed a hole in the accounts after it received almost £9million less in donations than in a previous year.
Meg's products
While the website is not yet up and running, we have seen a few items that may be offered by 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.
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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 House back in 2016.