😢 Meghan’s in TEARS as her big reveal goes DOWN in flames! The With Love, Meghan Season 2 trailer is getting ROASTED—called fake, staged, and a total product pitch! 🍓📺 What sparked this brutal backlash, and why’s it hitting Meghan so hard? Is her dream project doomed? You NEED to see this drama unfold!
👉 Dive into the chaos:
Meghan in Tears? Unpacking the Backlash to With Love, Meghan Season 2’s Trailer and Its Cultural Impact
Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, has long been a lightning rod for public fascination and scrutiny. Her latest venture, the Netflix cooking and lifestyle show With Love, Meghan, has reignited debate with the release of its Season 2 trailer on August 12, 2025. Touted as a heartfelt exploration of food and community, the trailer has faced a firestorm of criticism, labeled “fake,” “staged,” and a “QVC-style product push” for her American Riviera Orchard (rebranded as As Ever) lifestyle brand. Sensationalized reports claim Markle was left “in tears” over the backlash, a narrative amplified by YouTube videos () and tabloid-style outlets but lacking verification from credible sources. As Season 2 prepares to premiere on August 26, 2025, this article examines the roots of the controversy, the context of Markle’s media endeavors, and why the narrative of her emotional distress captivates the public imagination.
The Trailer and Its Backlash
The With Love, Meghan Season 2 trailer, released on August 12, 2025, showcases Markle cooking, crafting, and hosting a star-studded lineup including Chrissy Teigen, José Andrés, Tan France, and others in a rented Montecito farmhouse (). Set to Bobby Day’s “Rockin’ Robin,” the trailer highlights lighthearted moments, like Markle joking about Prince Harry’s dislike for lobster with chef Andrés, and promotes As Ever products like raspberry jam and teas (). However, online reactions have been harsh. Hindustan Times () describes the trailer as “part cooking, part chit-chat, part ‘Why is this even a show?’” with viewers on X calling it “inauthentic” and a thinly veiled commercial for Markle’s brand. One user remarked, “I’m sorry, is Netflix just dumb?? Do those two have something on Netflix??” (), reflecting skepticism about the show’s value.
IMDb reviews () echo this sentiment, with users labeling the show “pretentious” and “staged to make Meghan look like an amazing kind person.” Some found it “mindless” or sleep-inducing, criticizing its focus on basic tips and product placement, like jams appearing in “keepsake packaging” (). The “QVC-style” critique stems from the trailer’s emphasis on As Ever, with scenes of Markle showcasing her jams and teas, prompting accusations of commercialism over authenticity. The claim that Markle was “in tears” appears in unverified YouTube videos () and tabloid reports, alleging emotional distress over the backlash, but no primary evidence—such as statements from Markle or Netflix—supports this. The narrative seems designed to exploit her polarizing image, as seen in past “Duchess Difficult” allegations ().
Meghan’s Media Ventures and Public Perception
With Love, Meghan is part of a $100 million Netflix deal signed by Markle and Prince Harry in 2020, following their exit from royal duties. Season 1, released in March 2025, garnered 5.3 million views but ranked 383rd globally, trailing hits like Squid Game (117 million views) (). Critics, including PR expert Renae Smith (), argue the show lacks appeal, with viewers uninterested in Markle’s “borrowed kitchen” and “average food.” The decision to film in a rented Montecito house, not their home, was explained by Markle as protecting her children’s privacy (), but reviewers () called it a “filming set with actress Meghan,” questioning its authenticity.
American Riviera Orchard, rebranded as As Ever, launched with jams sent to celebrities like Mindy Kaling, who called receiving one “one of the most glamorous moments of my life” (). However, unverified reports () claim the jams lacked ingredient labels, sparking hygiene concerns, though no FDA citations exist. The Season 2 trailer’s focus on these products fueled accusations of a “QVC-style” push, with viewers on X () noting the absence of A-list guests like Oprah or Beyoncé, suggesting limited star power. The narrative of Markle’s tears aligns with her public struggles, as she admitted to In Style () shedding tears over her brand’s challenges, though not specifically tied to the trailer.
The Cultural Context: Why It Captivates
The backlash narrative resonates due to Markle’s polarizing public image and the public’s appetite for celebrity drama. Since stepping back from royal duties, Markle has faced intense scrutiny, labeled “Duchess Difficult” amid staff turnover allegations (). Her efforts to emulate lifestyle icons like Martha Stewart invite skepticism, with critics () arguing she lacks the culinary credibility or relatability to succeed. The trailer’s criticism as “fake” and “staged” taps into broader perceptions of Markle as inauthentic, a theme echoed in IMDb reviews () calling the show a “fantasyland” detached from her real life.
The “QVC-style” label reflects discomfort with the show’s commercial bent, as Markle’s As Ever products dominate the narrative. This aligns with cultural debates about celebrity branding, where authenticity is prized, as seen in backlash to similar ventures (). The claim of Markle’s tears, while unverified, fuels schadenfreude, with tabloid-style reports () exaggerating her distress to drive clicks. X posts, like @RoyalDailyTea (), amplify this by questioning the show’s appeal, while @PageSix () ties the trailer to a “humiliating” Netflix deal downgrade, framing it as a reputational blow.
Challenges of Verifying the Narrative
The biggest challenge is the lack of credible evidence for Markle’s emotional distress. The YouTube video () and related articles () rely on anonymous “insiders” and lack primary sources, a hallmark of tabloid journalism. No statements from Markle, Netflix, or credible outlets like Variety confirm the “in tears” claim, and the show’s ongoing production contradicts cancellation rumors (). The hygiene allegations, tied to As Ever jams, are vague, with no regulatory citations (), suggesting exaggeration for sensationalism. The “QVC-style” critique, while rooted in viewer reactions (), is subjective, reflecting differing expectations for a lifestyle show.
Markle’s polarizing status complicates verification. Her royal exit and media ventures, from Archetypes to With Love, Meghan, invite intense scrutiny, as seen in “Duchess Difficult” narratives (). The backlash narrative thrives on this, using the trailer’s perceived flaws to fuel a story of failure, despite the show’s star-studded lineup and Netflix’s continued support ().
What a Real Backlash Could Mean
If the backlash were substantiated, it could challenge Markle’s lifestyle brand ambitions. With Love, Meghan relies on her image as a relatable host, and widespread criticism as “fake” or “commercial” could erode credibility, impacting As Ever’s sales and her Netflix deal. A verified emotional response, like tears, would humanize Markle but also amplify perceptions of vulnerability, as seen in her In Style comments () about crying over business struggles. The “QVC-style” label, if embraced by mainstream media, could pigeonhole her as a celebrity hawker, not a culinary innovator.
However, the narrative’s speculative nature suggests it’s more clickbait than reality. The trailer’s mixed reception, as reported by Hindustan Times (), reflects subjective taste, not a universal rejection. Markle’s resilience, shown in her TIME100 Summit comments about her “great, great lineup” (), indicates she’s undeterred by criticism, focusing on her vision.
The Broader Impact: Celebrity and Media
The With Love, Meghan backlash, though exaggerated, highlights the power of fan-driven and tabloid narratives in shaping public perception. Similar to fan-made trailers like Pokémon (), the “in tears” story uses sensationalism to engage audiences, blurring fact and fiction. The Pokémon franchise’s live-action success ($433 million) shows fan concepts can inspire, but this narrative thrives on scandal, leveraging Markle’s polarizing image and the public’s love for celebrity drama.
The story also reflects broader trends in celebrity branding. Markle’s shift from royal to lifestyle guru mirrors ventures like Gwyneth Paltrow’s Goop, but faces unique scrutiny due to her royal past. The absence of X posts directly addressing the “tears” claim suggests limited mainstream traction, confined to niche outlets, yet its viral potential persists due to Markle’s high profile.
Looking Ahead: The Future of Meghan’s Brand
While the “Meghan in tears” narrative is unverified, it underscores the challenges of her media journey. With Love, Meghan Season 2 premieres on August 26, 2025, and its success will hinge on viewer reception, not tabloid headlines. As Markle navigates criticism, her resilience and Netflix’s support suggest her brand will endure. The dream of a tearful meltdown may captivate, but the reality of her ambition keeps the spotlight on Arendelle—er, Montecito.