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Meghan Markle, who now prefers to go by the name Meghan Sussex, premiered her latest project on Netflix earlier this month. Her new show, titled With Love, Meghan, offers viewers a personal look inside her kitchen, where she hosts a variety of celebrity guests. The premise revolves around Meghan sharing her lifestyle with the audience, from cooking and baking to gardening and entertaining tips. While the concept seems light-hearted and rooted in home-centered content, the reception it has received has been far from warm. As reviews and ratings continue to roll in, it’s becoming clear that many viewers are not responding positively. Yet, the question remains—does Meghan truly deserve the harsh criticism she’s been getting? Let’s take a closer look at the situation.
The show had been in development for quite some time, with early details kept under wraps, leaving many people speculating about what it would entail. Once the trailer dropped, however, there was no room for doubt—it was clear that this series was centered entirely on Meghan, now styling herself as Meghan Sussex. In each episode, she invites well-known guests into her home and guides viewers through various aspects of homemaking, including her personal take on hosting, culinary arts, and cultivating a welcoming environment.
From the outset, expectations were high, but now that the show is available to the public, it has garnered mixed, and at times scathing, feedback. On Rotten Tomatoes, the show currently holds a 33% rating, and on IMDb, it sits at a meager 3 out of 10. These numbers are far from flattering and suggest that the show isn’t striking a chord with audiences. Its release was delayed at Meghan’s request due to wildfires in California, which she cited as a reason for holding back the premiere out of respect for those affected. While some appreciated this consideration, it didn’t seem to influence the critical reception.
Now that With Love, Meghan is out, the general response has been underwhelming. Critics and viewers who already held unfavorable opinions of Meghan have been especially vocal. Many labeled the show “fake” and “performative,” questioning the authenticity of her on-screen relationships and interactions. To these individuals, nothing about the program felt genuine or heartfelt, and they took to online platforms to express their dissatisfaction in lengthy rants.
But here’s the thing: when you look at the core of what With Love, Meghan actually offers, it doesn’t appear to be a divisive show. It’s essentially Meghan Markle sharing her personal approach to homemaking and hospitality—how she cooks, how she sets a table, how she tends to her garden. It lacks a scripted storyline or any manufactured drama. There are no reality TV antics, no dramatic plot twists, and no manipulative editing. It’s a straightforward series about a woman opening her home and sharing elements of her lifestyle.
Given this, it’s difficult to understand why the backlash has been so strong. What about a simple homemaking show provokes such intense dislike? It seems that the criticism isn’t necessarily about the show’s content, but rather about the person hosting it. Many viewers appear to have made up their minds about Meghan long before the first episode aired, and they let their preconceptions color their reviews.
One particular point of contention was Meghan’s decision to change her last name to Sussex, which she discusses during an episode of the show. Her reason was simple and relatable: she wanted her last name to match that of her children and her husband. For many women, adopting a married name is a common and personal choice. Meghan’s explanation was straightforward, yet it sparked a wave of negativity from critics who seemed determined to fault her regardless of her reasoning. Despite how ordinary and benign her choice was, it became another talking point for those eager to criticize.
Despite the poor reviews and widespread criticism, Netflix appears to consider the show a success. The streaming platform has already renewed With Love, Meghan for a second season, suggesting that viewership numbers or engagement metrics are strong enough to warrant continuation. This development has caused further debate, with detractors wondering why the show is moving forward while supporters see it as a sign that Meghan is rising above the negativity.
It seems that no matter how many people are determined to dislike Meghan, she continues to pursue her goals and find support for her endeavors. The persistence of the criticism, however, highlights how polarized public opinion around her has become. For every viewer who tunes in with an open mind, there’s another who’s eager to find fault in everything she does.
Ultimately, With Love, Meghan is a show that was never meant to be a battleground. Its purpose was to provide insight into Meghan’s personal life and share her interests with a broader audience. It’s not designed to sway public opinion or tackle controversial issues—it’s simply a lifestyle show. Yet, because of who Meghan is and the complicated public perception surrounding her, the show became a lightning rod for criticism.
What are your thoughts on With Love, Meghan? Have you watched it? Let us know in the comments, and share this with friends to see what they think of Meghan’s latest venture.
