Boasting vs. Inspiring: Meghan Markle Is Not Martha Stewart
By Nick Ortiz
When we think “lifestyle influencer,” what comes to mind? Martha Stewart, giving sage advice on how to make the perfect cake or giving garden instructions? Ina Garten, pouring herself a Cosmo as she prepares for a homecooked meal? A new face has joined the party of entertaining: Meghan Markle.
Premiering on Netflix, With Love, Megan, puts on full display Markle’s carefully curated apiaries, kitchen, and lush home garden. Netflix announced the duchess will receive a second season of her lifestyle series three days after the show’s premiere on March 4th, 2025. Amid the massive number of articles sharing the reasons to adore every second, I’ve concluded the series is hollow compared to a more uplifting predecessor: Martha Stewart’s program.
Markle, a now-estranged Royal Family Member, lives in Montecito, California, where she has recorded eight episodes at her $8 million farmhouse (separate from her own home, of course). In the series, the Los Angeles native makes pasta, frittata, bread, Korean fried chicken, and quiche with the invitees. The duchess causes many awkward interactions as she throws hosting etiquette out the window.
Martha Stewart built a publicly traded business around the art of entertaining, which she loved deeply and wanted to document to empower regular housewives. With Love, Meghan, on the other hand, proves that for the Duchess of Sussex, “entertaining guests” is merely a facade for her to gloat about her opulent, unrealistic lifestyle.
Markle’s poor treatment of her guests was evident from the first episode. Preparing a meal for the arrivals was a basic expectation; it demonstrates good etiquette in welcoming a friend or acquaintance into your home. But tasty cuisine only goes so far when the conversation shows no interest in the attendees. No matter the topic a guest introduced, the conversation always reverted back to Markle and her experiences, confirming the Hollywood star’s well-documented narcissism.
In one episode, Argentine influencer Delfina Blaquier tried to offer a personal perspective as both she and Markle looked on the Pacific Ocean, a potentially sweet scene. Blaquier shared a heartfelt childhood story of her growing up on a farm with nothing but sticks and twigs to play with, adding that she didn’t have the luxury of playing with Legos. But the ten seconds of genuine vulnerability were not to last on this show, a Markle vanity project. Without missing a beat, Markle redirects the conversation to her domestic goddess abilities.
The cooking and baking with guests were unbearable to watch, as Markle’s sternness dampened any pleasantry. To Markle’s credit, asking for help is a good way to involve your guests. It’s essential to make them feel comfortable in your own home. But Markle’s consistent tone of condescension reared its ugly head with each ask of the guest. It makes one question whether these are guests or props in a relatively expensive dollhouse.
Although Markle exudes confidence, she often contradicts herself in the show, presenting as both an expert and yet a novice. As each guest appears, their role remains ambiguous — are they friends, mentors, or just visitors? From Daniel Martin, Markle’s friend and makeup artist, to Alice Waters, famous restauranteur and slow food movement activist, the guests are always met with a lecture in Markle’s house. How does a host send an invitation to request assistance in making food with Alice Waters, Roy Choy, and Chef Ramon Velazquez and still attempt to upstage these experts in their craft?
Interactions like these appear episode after episode; Markle strenuously tries to be relatable to her guests and her audience. Something as simple as a copper pot spurred this — Alice Waters has a copper pot for her food scraps for composting (a sustainable gardening practice). But Markle did not hesitate to announce that she also owns a copper pot, allegedly inspired by Waters. It seems minor, but a host should always extend courtesy to their guest, even a celebrity chef. But it’s clear there is no expert Markle can learn from, no piece of information that she wants to explore further because it’s not about the people she invites. With Love, Meghan solely revolves around Meghan Markle.
Some bias may have affected my telling of this series, but let’s consider the original influencer herself, Martha Stewart. Throughout her many shows, Stewart asks for her guests’ insight into the how and why (even with her vast knowledge of baking, cooking, and hosting). Stewart wrote the book on entertaining to share with an audience who wanted to know the rules of hosting guests. Yes, the shows and books were about Stewart’s rules and what she learned. But Joan Didion could not have written it more perfectly that “[Stewart] has branded herself not as Superwoman but as Everywoman, a distinction that seems to remain unclear to her critics.”
We may never be able to make a cake like Stewart, but we can give it our best shot or even dream of making it — and her teachings are more accessible than ever. Watching With Love, Meghan leaves one with a sense of unattainability. I cannot make homemade preserves in my kitchen, I do not have a vast garden in my backyard, and I don’t have flower sprinkles to top my food. Markle wants to be Superwoman, whereas Stewart was proud to be an Everywoman.
Lifestyle television shows were supposed to be instructional on spicing up your kitchen or holiday feasts. The purpose was never to flaunt a luxurious lifestyle and eclipse your guests. Stewart inspired working people to take time to add a touch of beauty to their lives and others’, whether it be via entryway decor or a fresh salad to share. Where Stewart took viewers by the hand and walked them through projects, Markle keeps her viewers at arm’s length, making her content as un-relatable as possible. Netflix has failed its customers by delivering a self-obsessed puff show for a wannabe hostess who only wants to serve herself.
Nick Ortiz is the Brand Manager for Young Voices, a non-profit that helps young professionals enter the world of cultural and political commentary. He received his BA from the University of California, Irvine, and lives in Kentucky. You can follow him and his opinions on X @NickJOrtiz.