Will Meghan Markle's New Lifestyle Show Reshape Her Brand?

Meghan Markle's upcoming Netflix show, "With Love," slated for release on January 15, represents a significant shift in her public persona as she moves from royal responsibilities to lifestyle and wellness themes.

In a bid to redefine her image, Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, is set to make her Netflix debut with the new eight-part series titled "With Love," premiering on January 15. The trailer showcases Meghan immersed in domestic activities such as baking, gardening, and even honey harvesting, presenting a picture of a blissful home life alongside her husband, Prince Harry. This rebranding appears aimed at aligning with the "trad wife" trend prevalent on social media, pivoting towards a more traditional yet aspirational lifestyle aesthetic.

Public relations expert Chloe Franses suggests that this shift marks a return to Meghan's roots in lifestyle blogging, an area she explored prior to her marriage to Harry. However, reactions to the series are mixed; while some commend the authenticity of Meghan's approach, critics like media relations expert Alex Silver argue that her focus seems disconnected from pressing global issues.

A notable aspect of the series is its independent nature, highlighting Meghan's solo presence rather than her partnership with Harry. Marketing professor Pauline Maclaran points out that this separation could lead to a more successful individual brand, enhancing their business ventures. Since stepping down from royal duties in 2020, Harry and Meghan have ventured into various professional domains that showcase their skills and interests outside of royal affiliations.

The show seems to distance itself from the royal narrative that has often surrounded them, instead honing in on lifestyle and wellness topics akin to those covered in Meghan’s previous lifestyle blog, The Tig, which was shut down in 2017. Experts express optimism that this return could align with current trends where public figures dominate the lifestyle niche.

Nonetheless, there are skeptics who question the show's relevance amid ongoing global crises. Criticism has emerged that Meghan should use her platform to address significant social matters or philanthropic efforts, hinting at a perception of self-interest.

Meghan's previous ventures have included lucrative deals, such as a partnership with Netflix, though past projects like her podcast on Spotify have not performed as expected, leading to an early termination of the deal.

The ultimate test for this new venture will be whether it can foster a robust, sustainable brand for Meghan independent of royal connections. Analysts suggest that while initial viewership might be high, the challenge lies in maintaining a consistent audience and creating an ongoing global following.

As anticipation builds around the show's launch, it remains to be seen whether Meghan can successfully reshape her public image and whether audiences will resonate with her new narrative or continue with existing perceptions shaped by her royal past. Only time will tell if this venture will "detoxify" her brand or reinforce existing opinions.