Here’s what’s actually unfolding—no explosive parody scandal or hidden media tempest, but rather a significant backlash to Meghan Markle’s Netflix launch, With Love, Meghan, which many critics and viewers are calling tone‑deaf and inauthentic. Let me break down what credible sources say:
What’s Really Happening with the Netflix Show
- Strong critical backlash
Critics in the U.S. and U.K. have largely panned With Love, Meghan, calling it “inauthentic,” “privileged,” and disconnected from contemporary struggles. One reviewer noted that the trailer looked like “an exercise in celebrity at its most superficial.”
In the U.K., even The Guardian, historically sympathetic to Meghan, delivered a scathing one‑star review, labeling the show “toe‑curlingly unlovable TV.” - Audience reactions are mostly negative
Social media user engagement underscores broad fatigue:- Trailers racked up more dislikes than likes, and fans questioned who the target audience even was, with comments like “Who is the audience? Women with tons of money…”
- Memes and viral clips intensified the blow. One showed Meghan repackaging pretzels and labeling the bag—mocked as overly manufactured, drawing 1.6M views. Another featured her correcting Mindy Kaling with “I’m Sussex now”—a moment dubbed “insufferable” on X.
- Test screenings and internal concerns
A popular Reddit post claimed the show “failed 7 test screenings” and that Netflix was slashing marketing efforts in anticipation of the flop. While unverified, the sentiment reflects a broader sense of distress around the release. - Prince Harry reportedly distressed
According to a royal insider, Prince Harry is “very upset” over the backlash his wife is enduring, feeling the negativity is unfair or perhaps destructive. - Online abuse elevated to threats
Alarmingly, the backlash has escalated beyond reviews and social media snark—Meghan has reportedly been targeted with death threats in dark web forums, and insiders say she is “devastated and crushed” by this level of hostility. - Mixed defense responses
A close friend, Christopher Bouzy, condemned the hatred as “sickening and cruel,” suggesting personal moments like those captured in the show have been weaponized by critics.
Meanwhile, critiques like Whitney Cummings’ argue the show might be a subtle roast of royal formalities—though that remains speculative.
Summary Table
Bottom Line
What began as a lighthearted lifestyle series has instead crystallized into a flashpoint for broader debates—about authenticity, privilege, and the public persona of Meghan and Harry. There’s no parody video or intentional media prank at the heart of this; rather, a real-time struggle over how they’re portrayed, and how public sentiment is amassing quickly against the show and their brand.