What We Can Learn from With Love, Meghan

Is it a cooking show? A talk show? A reality show? Meghan Markle’s new Netflix series, With Love, Meghan, has sparked plenty of conversation—whether you’re watching for the content or the controversy. If I’m being honest, I found myself invested, not just in the show itself but in dissecting its layers—what it’s trying to be, what it’s actually achieving, and what it reveals about Meghan’s ongoing reinvention.

Marketed as a warm, lifestyle-driven series about personal growth, With Love, Meghan inevitably carries the weight of Meghan’s public narrative. It was supposed to be a darling fresh start—a new chapter that would finally cement her post-royal identity, separate from the drama of the monarchy and the media storm that follows her.

Instead, it’s become yet another example of how not to reinvent yourself in the public eye. From the oddly artificial setting to its forced relatability, the show has been widely criticized for being out of touch, strangely curated, and, well… just plain boring.

But love her or loathe her, there’s no denying that Meghan knows the power of storytelling—both in crafting her own and in shaping how the world perceives her. And whether you’re here for the aesthetics, the ambition, or the unfolding drama, there are definitely a few takeaways from With Love, Meghan—lessons on branding, reinvention, and how to (or how not to) connect with an audience.

Authenticity Is Everything—And You Can’t Fake It

One of the first red flags for viewers was the revelation that Meghan’s cozy, rustic kitchen wasn’t actually hers. A picture-perfect, candle-lit dreamscape, it turns out the setting was staged for the show—a beautifully designed but ultimately misleading backdrop. The issue isn’t just the fake kitchen; it’s what it represents. Meghan, despite positioning herself as relatable and down-to-earth, continues to curate an image so polished that it borders on artificial.

Even Meghan’s supposed long-term friend, Daniel Martin, half-jokingly commented, “I feel like this is all fake.” And that’s exactly the problem—audiences can sense when something feels overly produced. Instead of giving us a glimpse into her real life, With Love, Meghan presents a carefully arranged illusion, making it harder to connect with her on a human level.

Lesson: Be real. People connect with authenticity, not curated perfection. If you’re trying to reinvent yourself, the worst thing you can do is lean into an image that feels staged rather than genuine.

If You Want to Teach, Truly Learn Your Craft First

The show attempts to position Meghan as a lifestyle expert—someone with wisdom to share about food, culture, and personal well-being. But here’s the thing: what exactly qualifies her to be that authority? Unlike established lifestyle personalities like Martha Stewart, Ina Garten, or even Gwyneth Paltrow (who, despite Goop’s controversies, has a clear identity and expertise), Meghan hasn’t built a reputation in this space.

If she were drawing from her own life experiences—sharing genuine insights or passions she’s cultivated over time—the concept might work. But instead, it feels like she’s simply playing the role of a lifestyle expert without having the depth to back it up.

Lesson: Before stepping into a new role, take the time to develop real expertise. Passion is great, but it needs to be supported by knowledge, credibility, and a genuine connection to the subject.

Be Unique and Personal

With all the resources at her disposal, Meghan had the opportunity to create something fresh, different, and meaningful. Instead, With Love, Meghan feels like a cookie-cutter lifestyle show—one that lacks a unique point of view.

What makes With Love, Meghan her? What is she bringing to the table that we haven’t seen before? The problem with Meghan’s reinvention attempts is that they often feel like echoes of other successful formats, without the personal stamp that would make them stand out.

Lesson: If you’re reinventing yourself, make sure you’re bringing something new. The world doesn’t need another generic lifestyle brand—it needs something that feels distinctly you.

Add Some Color to Your Life—Literally and Figuratively

If there’s one word to describe the show’s aesthetic, it’s beige. Meghan’s signature muted tones—neutral outfits, soft lighting, carefully arranged candles—create a beautiful but lifeless backdrop. Everything looks nice but lacks personality.

And this goes beyond visuals. The storytelling itself feels muted—there’s no tension, no energy, no moments that make you feel truly engaged. The most compelling figures in media, from Oprah to Anthony Bourdain, bring color to their work through emotion, curiosity, and a willingness to be vulnerable. Meghan, on the other hand, seems so preoccupied with controlling her image that she forgets to add any real vibrancy.

Lesson: If you want people to be invested in your story, you have to give them something—emotion, humor, warmth, vulnerability. Perfection is forgettable; personality is what makes you memorable.

How About Using Less Plastic?

From the overuse of plastic-wrapped perfection to the metaphorical plasticity of the show itself, With Love, Meghan highlights a larger issue: sustainability—both in the environmental sense and in the way we present ourselves. A truly impactful lifestyle show should embrace authenticity and sustainability, yet Meghan’s approach feels disposable, built on aesthetics rather than meaningful content.

Lesson: Whether in branding, storytelling, or personal reinvention, sustainability matters. Build something real, something lasting—because if it feels plastic, it won’t stick.

Relatability Needs Substance

The show tries hard to position Meghan as warm, nurturing, and community-driven. But the interactions with her “friends” feel too scripted, too polished—almost like cast members rather than genuine companions.

A truly relatable personality doesn’t need to show you they have friends—they just do. Instead of casual, authentic conversations, With Love, Meghan gives us perfectly lit, rehearsed moments that lack any real substance.

Lesson: If you have to manufacture your relationships to prove you’re likable, you’re doing it wrong.

Reinvention Should Feel Natural, Not Forced

After stepping away from royal life, Meghan had the opportunity to define herself on her own terms. Yet, every attempt at reinvention—from the Spotify podcast to With Love, Meghan—feels like it’s trying too hard to fit into a polished, aspirational mold.

Instead of embracing the raw, evolving journey of reinvention, Meghan seems determined to present an already “finished” version of herself. But true reinvention is a process—it’s messy, it’s uncertain, and it’s often more powerful when you let people see the transformation as it unfolds.

Lesson: Reinvention works when it’s an organic evolution, not a forced narrative.

You Can’t Please Everyone—So Don’t Try So Hard

One of the biggest missteps in With Love, Meghan is that it doesn’t seem to have a clear audience. It’s neither gripping entertainment nor particularly insightful. The need to control the narrative too tightly has left it lacking the spark that makes lifestyle shows engaging.

Lesson: Instead of worrying about being universally loved, focus on creating something with real passion and personality.

Meghan is in a tricky position. She has the platform, the resources, and the potential to build something meaningful. But as With Love, Meghan proves, reinvention isn’t just about good aesthetics and careful PR—it’s about real connection, honesty, and knowing who you truly are.

Until she embraces that, every attempt to redefine herself will continue to feel more like an arrangement than a human story.