‘Meghan has proven that she is very good at dealing with ‘ordinary’ people, but very bad at really putting her shoulders to the wheel’
Journalist and society watcher Ella Vermeulen comments on the world of Hollywood and its surroundings. This time: Meghan Markle’s new lifestyle brand.
Jamfluencer Meghan
Strawberry jelly. Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, launched her new, quasi-royal lifestyle brand with a product that can be found in every supermarket. In an exclusive numbered edition of fifty, which went to influencers in the hope of hype. What can you say about this American Riviera Orchard (that’s the name of her brand, ed.) gem? Not that Jamfluencer Meghan grew the strawberries herself in Montecito, anyway. And what will the celebs who received the jam do with it? The Cali Chic community believes that carbohydrates are from the devil. So Meghan’s inner circle doesn’t really seem like a target group to me.
They include wives of polo players, Britney Spears’ ex-stylist and a “Suits” co-star. A fairly obscure company, but fortunately for Meghan, very loyal. Without having seen a single scene, they are already ecstatic about her new Netflix show, in which the Duchess will explain to her viewers how they can live like her. This will of course not be recorded in her own home, but in the villa of philanthropists Tom and Sherrie Cipolla, who have rented their home to the crew until the end of June. The Cipollas have 23 houses in the area, so there is no need to fear homeless millionaires here.
Garden trowels and dog shampoo
So, in the comfort of someone else’s home, Meghan will celebrate her “joy of cooking, gardening, entertaining and friendship” by promoting garden trowels, tea towels and dog shampoo. I wish her a successful rebrand, but it sounds as incoherent as what she did before (a podcast, a docuseries in which she criticized her in-laws, a children’s book, talk about healing). In addition, it is not clear how Harry (who is going to bring polo to the masses – how?) and Meghan want to present themselves. As a couple? As royals or commoners? Do they want attention or privacy?
Meghan has proven that she is very good at dealing with ‘ordinary’ people, but very bad at really putting her shoulders to the wheel, as if success will just happen. American Riviera Orchard only has a chance if she manages to make it truly personal and not as forced as the first soft focus glimpses we saw of it. I’d say: a little more self-mockery, a little less empty words and less free strawberry jam for rich people.
In every Glamial, Ella gives her unvarnished opinion about the tricks of famous faces from both Hollywood and Hilversum. Never miss a column? Then get the latest Glamial or subscribe via Tijdschrift.land.
