Meghan Markle is set to premiere her new eight-part Netflix series, "With Love," on January 15. The trailer showcases a charming image of domestic life, featuring Meghan picking flowers, slicing vegetables, and decorating cakes. In the promo, moments shared with Prince Harry, including harvesting honey, depict a reevaluation of her public persona.
Meghan Markle’s New Netflix Show: Will This Rebranding Strategy Succeed?
Meghan Markle’s New Netflix Show: Will This Rebranding Strategy Succeed?
As Meghan Markle prepares to unveil her new Netflix series, public reactions are mixed regarding her domestic lifestyle focus.
This rebranding trend has been likened to the "trad wife" aesthetic, echoing themes from the 1950s. Public relations expert Chloe Franses praises this evolution as "authentic," suggesting it's a return to Markle's roots as a lifestyle blogger prior to her royal marriage. However, the new approach has also faced criticism; media expert Alex Silver calls it "tone deaf," suggesting a disconnect given current global events.
Since stepping back from royal duties in 2020, the couple has explored various joint ventures but seems to be leaning towards separate professional paths. Pauline Maclaran, a marketing professor, notes this schism might lead to greater success for both individuals, suggesting that the previous joint branding did not garner sufficient recognition.
The shift also marks a departure from touching on royal connections. Instead, "With Love" explores themes of wellness and lifestyle, reminiscent of Meghan's former lifestyle blog, The Tig, which highlighted beauty, fashion, recipes, and life advice before its closure in 2017. Experts speculate that revisiting such themes might be advantageous for Meghan in the current landscape of celebrity lifestyles.
However, skepticism looms. Critics like Alex Silver argue that there are pressing global issues that Meghan could address, rather than focusing solely on personal branding. Meghan's previous attempts at lifestyle ventures have resulted in mixed reviews, and her Netflix project, alongside her past Spotify partnership, did not achieve anticipated success.
Experts assert that this latest effort may primarily serve Meghan’s commercial interests with the potential for lucrative partnerships. Meanwhile, some speculate her aim includes potentially rehabilitating her public image and engaging with a new audience, particularly mothers in the U.S.
The impact of the show on public perception remains uncertain. While some royal experts predict initial viewership success, others doubt its lasting engagement will foster a strong global brand for Meghan independent of her royal history. The reception of the show's promotional materials suggests entrenched views about Markle endure, whether negative or positive.
In sum, whether Meghan's rebranding will capture a new audience on Netflix or perpetuate existing opinions about her remains to be seen, as the anticipation builds for the show's release.
Additional reporting from Guy Lambert and Nadine Yousif.
Since stepping back from royal duties in 2020, the couple has explored various joint ventures but seems to be leaning towards separate professional paths. Pauline Maclaran, a marketing professor, notes this schism might lead to greater success for both individuals, suggesting that the previous joint branding did not garner sufficient recognition.
The shift also marks a departure from touching on royal connections. Instead, "With Love" explores themes of wellness and lifestyle, reminiscent of Meghan's former lifestyle blog, The Tig, which highlighted beauty, fashion, recipes, and life advice before its closure in 2017. Experts speculate that revisiting such themes might be advantageous for Meghan in the current landscape of celebrity lifestyles.
However, skepticism looms. Critics like Alex Silver argue that there are pressing global issues that Meghan could address, rather than focusing solely on personal branding. Meghan's previous attempts at lifestyle ventures have resulted in mixed reviews, and her Netflix project, alongside her past Spotify partnership, did not achieve anticipated success.
Experts assert that this latest effort may primarily serve Meghan’s commercial interests with the potential for lucrative partnerships. Meanwhile, some speculate her aim includes potentially rehabilitating her public image and engaging with a new audience, particularly mothers in the U.S.
The impact of the show on public perception remains uncertain. While some royal experts predict initial viewership success, others doubt its lasting engagement will foster a strong global brand for Meghan independent of her royal history. The reception of the show's promotional materials suggests entrenched views about Markle endure, whether negative or positive.
In sum, whether Meghan's rebranding will capture a new audience on Netflix or perpetuate existing opinions about her remains to be seen, as the anticipation builds for the show's release.
Additional reporting from Guy Lambert and Nadine Yousif.
