Meghan Markle’s latest venture, her lifestyle brand As Ever, is already hitting roadblocks, with allegations of copying, product launch delays, and rumors that her talent agency, WME, has quietly dropped her. The Duchess of Sussex seems to be facing one setback after another, leaving many to wonder if her brand is doomed before it even hits the shelves.
One of the biggest blows to As Ever is the permanent ban on selling clothing under the brand name. This comes after a legal battle with a smaller brand, As Ever NYC, which has garnered significant support on social media—even from celebrities like Gwyneth Paltrow.
This isn’t the first time Meghan has faced trademark issues. Back in October 2022, her initial trademark application was partially rejected due to a conflict with a Chinese fashion house named Asever. The U.S. Trademark and Patent Office ruled the names were too similar, causing brand confusion. When Meghan reapplied, she had to omit the word “clothing” from her application, which was finally approved in July 2023.
With clothing off the table, Meghan has pivoted to selling cake mixes and other boxed baking goods. Yes, you read that right—cake mixes. The move has left many scratching their heads, with critics questioning whether Meghan is trying to become the next Betty Crocker.
The timing couldn’t be worse. Meghan’s cooking show, With Love, Meghan, is set to launch soon, but the products tied to the brand won’t be available in stores for months. This lack of planning has led to accusations of sloppiness and disorganization, with many wondering how Netflix, her business partner, is handling the chaos.
Meghan’s brand is also facing allegations of copying—again. This time, she’s being accused of ripping off Pamela Anderson’s cooking show aesthetic. From the title (With Love, Meghan vs. Cooking With Love) to the visuals and even the catchphrases, the similarities are hard to ignore.
This isn’t the first time Meghan has been accused of lacking originality. From her previous brand, American Riviera Orchard, to her alleged borrowing of ideas from The Marleyans of Both, the pattern is clear: Meghan seems to struggle with creating something truly unique.
Rumors are swirling that WME, Meghan’s talent agency, has quietly dropped her. Despite claims from a spokesperson that they’re still working with her, there’s little evidence to support this. Meghan hasn’t landed any new projects since signing with WME, and her existing deals—like the Netflix cooking show—were secured before the agency came on board.
The lack of progress on her movie project, Meet Me at the Lake, and the delayed podcast with Lemonada Media further fuel speculation that WME has distanced itself from Meghan.
Netflix, which has invested heavily in Meghan’s projects, is now in a tricky position. If her cooking show flops, the streaming giant could cut its losses and walk away. With the As Ever products not hitting shelves for months and trademark applications still pending, the brand’s future looks uncertain.
Meghan’s string of failures—from American Riviera Orchard to As Ever—has left many questioning her ability to execute a successful business venture. Her tendency to copy ideas, coupled with poor planning and execution, has turned her into a cautionary tale.
As the launch of With Love, Meghan approaches, all eyes are on whether the show can salvage her reputation—or if it will be the final nail in the coffin for her brand.
--- Meghan Markle, As Ever, lifestyle brand, Netflix, WME, trademark issues, cooking show, Pamela Anderson, American Riviera Orchard, product launch delays.
