What was intended as a celebratory gathering for Hollywood’s elite at a pre-Oscars brunch quickly turned into a spectacle, thanks to Oscar nominee Mikey Madison and comedian Amelia Dimoldenberg. The duo took aim at Meghan Markle’s newly launched lifestyle brand, American Riviera Orchard, and its inaugural product—As Ever strawberry jam—with a level of brutal honesty that left attendees both shocked and entertained.
Their impromptu roast, far from being a whispered aside, became the talk of the event, painting a picture of a brand launch some perceived as tone-deaf and a product that, in their view, fell spectacularly flat.
Madison, known for her sharp wit and deadpan delivery, reportedly kicked off the critique by holding up a jar of As Ever jam, examining it with theatrical confusion. “As Ever?” she quipped, her voice dripping with sarcasm. “As ever… what? I’m confused by this branding.” This seemingly innocuous observation served as the catalyst for a barrage of pointed remarks, setting the stage for Dimoldenberg to join in.
Dimoldenberg, whose comedic style thrives on awkward encounters and incisive observations, didn’t hold back. “It’s like she’s trying to sell us a fantasy of rustic aristocracy, but it feels more like a poorly staged Instagram filter,” she reportedly added, drawing a mix of laughter and uneasy glances from the crowd.
The roast didn’t stop at branding. Madison and Dimoldenberg, according to multiple attendees, proceeded to dissect the jam itself. Their critiques ranged from its perceived blandness to its exorbitant price point. “For that price, I expect the strawberries to have been serenaded by a string quartet,” Madison remarked, eliciting nervous laughter and outright guffaws.
Dimoldenberg, ever the master of the uncomfortable pause, chimed in: “It tastes like… well, it tastes like jam. But jam you’d find at a slightly overpriced farmers’ market, not the royal pantry.”
This unscripted roast, while undeniably entertaining, struck a nerve for many, raising questions about Meghan’s brand strategy and the reception of her post-royal endeavors. The As Ever jam, positioned as a symbol of authentic, handcrafted luxury, was instead portrayed as a symbol of disconnect—a product that failed to resonate with the very audience it sought to captivate.
The audacity of Madison and Dimoldenberg’s critique, delivered in the heart of Hollywood’s elite, sent a clear message: the curated image of Meghan’s brand was not immune to scrutiny and, in fact, was ripe for a comedic takedown.
In the end, the pre-Oscars brunch incident was more than just a celebrity roast. It was a cultural moment—a reflection of the evolving dynamics of celebrity, authenticity, and public perception. And at the center of it all was Meghan Markle, once again finding herself in a controversy that raised more questions than answers.
