In the glamorous neighborhood of Montecito, whispers and gossip have taken a biting turn as Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, faces some scathing new nicknames.
After the underwhelming response to her latest lifestyle brand, California’s elite social circles have taken to dubbing her “pumpkin spice” and “Walmart.”
This jibe seems to suggest they view her as a sell-out, especially after what they term a series of “cheap stunts,” according to Lisa Kennedy Montgomery, a columnist for the Mail.
It appears Meghan’s ambitions—such as a Netflix show, a lifestyle brand, and a new podcast—have not sat well with some of her neighbors.
In a particularly harsh critique, one Montecito local remarked that she had an extraordinary opportunity to make a significant impact as the first Black woman to marry into the British royal family.
Yet, they questioned her choices, suggesting she could have contributed more if she had chosen to remain close to royal duties instead of chasing lucrative ventures.
Tina Brown, the former editor-in-chief of Vanity Fair, weighed in on the situation, positing that Meghan seems to aspire to be the next Beyoncé or Michelle Obama.
However, Brown argues that she lacks the dedication to invest the time needed to build a legacy akin to theirs.
This commentary underscores the pressure Meghan faces as she navigates celebrity culture while trying to establish her brand.
Speaking of her brand, it launched earlier this spring under the name “As Ever,” a rebranding of its original, more confusing title, “American Riviera Orchard.”
The initial product line boasted enticing items like a £6 raspberry spread, £11 edible flower sprinkles, and a £21 wildflower honey that quickly sold out.
Despite the quick sell-outs, Jameson Stocks, a restaurateur, was quick to criticize the steep pricing, noting that the products appeal more to the wealthy than the average consumer.
The simultaneous release of Meghan’s Netflix series, “With Love, Meghan,” coincided with her brand’s debut, creating a media frenzy.
The series featured a roster of celebrity guests, including actress Mindy Kaling and chefs Roy Choi and Alice Waters.
However, reviews have not been particularly kind.
One critic called the show “a Montecito ego trip not worth taking,” while another labeled it “a ghastly artifact of a cultural era that has recently met its apocalypse.”
Further criticisms emerged regarding her podcast, “Confessions of a Female Founder.” Critics were quick to dismiss it as an effort “scraping the bottom of the barrel,” particularly as she attempted to engage high-profile celebrities like Beyoncé, Taylor Swift, and Hailey Bieber as guests.
The podcast has not escaped harsh criticism either.
A review in The Telegraph described it as an “inane stream of mindless aphorisms” devoid of any real confessions or secrets.
This unfavorable feedback highlights the disconnect between Meghan’s aspirations and the reception of her new ventures.
The Times and The Guardian have both joined the chorus of disparagement, with the former branding the podcast as “vapid lessons in self-love,” while the latter characterized it as “stomach-turning” and dripping with sycophantic tones.
As Meghan grapples with the repercussions of her endeavors, the chatter around her continues to grow.
It’s interesting to consider how someone who entered royal life with such promise now finds herself navigating the rough waters of public scrutiny and social media judgment.
The relentless critique from Montecito’s social elite serves as a stark reminder of the challenges that lie ahead for Markle as she strives to redefine herself beyond her royal connection.
One must wonder: can she genuinely capture the essence of what she seeks, or will the whispers of discontent continue to haunt her ambitions?
With the eyes of the world meticulously focused on her every move, Meghan’s journey may be just beginning—and it’s bound to get more complex as the narrative unfolds.
Whether she can transcend the “mean girls” of Montecito remains to be seen.
