What Critics Are Saying About With Love, Meghan Markle – Honest Reviews Revealed

The Mixed Reception of With Love, Meghan Season 2

The second season of With Love, Meghan has arrived on Netflix, and the reviews are sharp, divided, and often harsh. Critics from major publications like The Guardian, The Times, and The Telegraph have called the show boring, contrived, baffling, and even tone-deaf. Yet, Meghan Markle isn’t backing down. In an interview, she dismissed the haters, insisting that her target audience loves the show—and that’s what matters to her.

What Are the Critics Saying?

1. Too Boring and Contrived:

   • Lucy Mangan from The Guardian described the show as "so boring, so painfully contrived, and so effortfully whimsical that it becomes almost fascinating." She praised Chrissy Teigen’s guest appearance as the "high point" but suggested the celebrity cameos weren’t "paid enough" for the effort. Source Full

2. A Desperate Cash Grab?

   • Hilary Rose of The Times went further, calling Meghan "a woman in need of some cash" and the show "baffling." She claimed it exists in a "sweet spot where irrelevant meets intolerable" and jokingly said it made her "rock back and forth in a darkened room."

3. Tone-Deaf and Out of Touch:

   • Anita Singh from The Telegraph criticized the show as "tone-deaf," especially an episode about cocktail-making in Malibu that was dedicated to victims of California wildfires. She nicknamed Meghan "Montecito Marie Antoinette," suggesting she’s out of touch with real-world struggles. However, Singh also noted that Meghan occasionally drops her "Type-A perfection" and appears "relatively normal" in self-deprecating moments.

Why Are Critics So Harsh?

1. High Expectations, Low Delivery:

   • Meghan and Harry’s $100 million Netflix deal set the bar high. Critics expected groundbreaking, polished content—but With Love, Meghan feels more like a lighthearted lifestyle show than a high-stakes production. For some, it doesn’t justify the massive investment.

2. A Struggle for Authenticity:

   • Meghan’s public image has been polarizing. Some see her as inspiring and relatable, while others view her as calculated or out of touch. The show’s mix of glamorous Malibu living and heartfelt moments can feel jarred or inconsistent, making it hard for critics to take it seriously.

3. The "Marie Antoinette" Comparison:

   • The nickname "Montecito Marie Antoinette" is a harsh but telling critique. It suggests Meghan’s show feels detached from everyday realities, like a wealthy elite offering lifestyle tips while ordinary people face real struggles. The wildfire dedication in a cocktail episode only amplified this perception.

How Is Meghan Responding?

Meghan isn’t letting the criticism get to her. In an interview with Emily Chang, she shrugged off the negativity, saying:

• "I knew who I was trying to meet. If you know your audience, you know your demographic, they loved the show."
• She pointed out that Netflix renewed the show for a second season because her real audience—not the critics—enjoyed it.
• She even joked: "Are [the critics] saying negative things and then going home and secretly making single skillet spaghetti? Possibly."

Meghan’s response shows confidence in her vision. She’s not trying to please everyone—just the people who connect with her message.

Why Does This Matter?

1. The Power of Knowing Your Audience:

   • Meghan’s approach highlights an important lesson: Not every project needs to appeal to everyone. If her target audience loves the show, the criticism from elite media outlets might not matter as much. This is a common strategy in modern media, where niche audiences can sustain a project even if it’s panned by critics.

2. The Challenge of Public Perception:

   • Meghan’s struggle with critics reflects a broader issue: Public figures, especially women, are often judged more harshly for their choices. Her show is seen through the lens of her royal past, her wealth, and her controversies, making it difficult for some to engage with it objectively.

3. The Rise of "Relatable" Celebrity Content:

   • Shows like With Love, Meghan are part of a trend where celebrities invite audiences into their personal lives. Some viewers love the intimacy and aspirational lifestyle, while others find it self-indulgent or fake. Meghan’s show walks this tightrope, and not everyone is willing to come along for the ride.

What’s Next for Meghan and Her Show?

1. Sticking to Her Vision:

   • Meghan seems determined to keep doing what resonates with her fans. If Season 2 performs well with her core audience, we can expect more of the same—lighthearted, personal, and occasionally self-deprecating content.

2. Navigating the Criticism:

   • The negative reviews won’t disappear, but Meghan’s ability to brush them off suggests she’s focused on long-term goals. Whether that’s building her brand, connecting with fans, or simply enjoying the creative process, she’s not letting detractors derail her.

3. The Bigger Picture:

   • With Love, Meghan is just one part of Meghan and Harry’s larger media strategy. With documentaries, books, and other projects in the works, this show might be a small piece of a bigger puzzle. Its success—or failure—won’t define their entire career, but it does offer a glimpse into how they’re crafting their post-royal identities.

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With Love, Meghan might not be a critical darling, but it doesn’t need to be. Meghan’s focus on her core audience—and her willingness to own her style—shows a savvy understanding of modern media. While critics dismiss the show as boring or tone-deaf, her fans see it as charming, personal, and even inspiring. In the end, Meghan’s success might not be measured by five-star reviews, but by the connection she builds with the people who actually watch.