Despite her newfound social media presence and a new business venture, Meghan Markle is facing unexpected obstacles.
Meghan Markle is doing everything she can to get back into the spotlight.
A new Instagram appearance after years of silence, an upcoming Netflix show, and even the launch of a lifestyle brand, As Ever.
Yet, despite her efforts, something seems off: what was supposed to be a great comeback is turning into an obstacle course.
Meghan Markle is planning her return to Hollywood, but not as an actress
Is Hollywood turning its back on Meghan Markle?
When Meghan Markle signed with WME in April 2023, many saw the move as the first step toward a new career in Hollywood.
The agency, one of the most powerful in the industry, had entrusted her to prominent names like Brad Slater (Dwayne Johnson's agent) and Jill Smoller (Serena Williams' manager).
Yet, according to some sources, things didn't go as planned. Meghan hasn't had a proper meeting with Ari Emanuel, the agency's boss, for over a year.
Furthermore, she was deemed "too demanding" and difficult to manage, so much so that WME decided to end the collaboration.
Officially, the agency denies everything and claims to still be working with Meghan Markle and Archewell, the foundation she runs with Prince Harry.
However, some insiders close to the royal couple say the agency is simply closing down existing projects, without planning anything new. If that were the case, it would mean Hollywood has already stopped believing in her.
The As Ever Case: Forced Rebranding and Legal Issues
Meghan Markle's new business venture is also facing obstacles.
Initially launched last year under the name American Riviera Orchard, the Duchess's new brand was presented as a luxury brand inspired by the Californian lifestyle.
The new name, As Ever, was made official in February 2024, but just a few days after the announcement, some problems emerged.
Specifically, Meghan had requested permission to sell clothing, but her request was blocked by the United States Patent and Trademark Office. The name As Ever was deemed too similar to ASEVER, a Chinese fashion company that supplies chains like H&M.
"The marks are identical in pronunciation and virtually indistinguishable in appearance, thus resulting in confusion for trademark purposes," the official document states.
To proceed with the launch, Meghan had to remove any reference to the clothing industry and resubmit the trademark application, which was subsequently accepted.
But that's not all. A few days after As Ever's official debut, the brand found itself at the center of a controversy in Spain. The mayor of Porreres, a town in Mallorca, accused Meghan of copying the town's coat of arms for the brand's logo. Porreres's official emblem depicts a palm tree with two birds in flight; a design nearly identical to the symbol chosen for As Ever.
Making the situation even more complicated, the brand's products are not yet available for purchase.
Although Meghan has extensively promoted her homemade jam, the first As Ever-branded items won't be available for sale for several months.
This delay, combined with legal disputes and issues with WME, threatens to turn what was supposed to be a brilliant return to the business world into a less-than-perfect start.
