Latest news with #AmericanRivieraOrchard
Sky News AU
23-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Sky News AU
'Just waiting for the credits to roll': Meghan and Harry's $100 million Netflix partnership 'dead' amid 'dismal' ratings and lifestyle brand flop
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's future with Netflix appears to be in jeopardy, with a company insider claiming their $100 million content deal is effectively "dead" following a series of underwhelming releases. New figures released by Netlfix's latest 'What We Watched' semi-annual report found that Meghan's cooking show, 'With Love Meghan' failed to break into it's top 300 programmes. In fact, it was closer to its 400th program, coming in at the 383rd most-watched show. It was even outranked by reruns of Suits, the legal drama that launched Meghan's acting career, and Gossip Girl Season One, which first aired in 2007. On Tuesday, an insider at Netflix told The Mail the Duchess of Sussex had "everything going for her," but the viewing figures for With Love, Meghan were "dismal". "This deal is dead," they said. The insider said that Netflix are "just waiting for the credits to roll." "They're letting it expire without drama," they said. Another source reportedly added of the interest drop-off that the couple "went from buzzy to background noise." The Sussexes first signed their five-year agreement with the streaming platform back in 2020, shortly after stepping back from their royal duties and relocating to Montecito, California. To date, all of the Sussexes' Netflix projects have been documentaries, including the high-profile Harry & Meghan series, Heart of Invictus about Harry's sporting initiative for veterans, and Live to Lead, which spotlighted inspirational global figures. Their most recent venture, With Love, Meghan, aimed to showcase the Duchess' love of "cooking, gardening, entertaining and friendship". Despite filming both seasons back-to-back, the show's poor performance has now cast a shadow over future plans. Deadline's co-editor-in-chief for TV, Nellie Andreeva, didn't mince words, describing the viewership numbers as "very low for a Netflix original- and pretty unprecedented for a show that has been renewed." Originally due to premiere on 15 January this year, the first season of With Love, Meghan was pushed back to 4 March due to wildfires in Southern California. "I'm thankful to my partners at Netflix for supporting me in delaying the launch, as we focus on the needs of those impacted by the wildfires in my home state of California," Meghan said at the time. The show's release was timed to coincide with the relaunch of her lifestyle brand, formerly known as American Riviera Orchard, now rebranded as As Ever. In a February Instagram clip, Meghan told fans: "Cat's out of the bag. I'm shocked we've been able to keep this a secret for so long." Explaining the rebrand, she said the original name had felt too restrictive. "Last year I thought American Riviera Orchard is a great name (but) it limited me to products manufactured and grown in this area." The As Ever brand, which draws inspiration from Meghan's pre-royal lifestyle blog The Tig, now encompasses a small line of jams, conserves, and wines sold online. But the venture, also funded by Netflix, has come under heavy criticism from marketing experts, with Camille Moore and Phillip Millar describing it as one of the weakest brand launches they've seen. Speaking on The Art of the Brand podcast, Ms Moore said: "I feel like she's doing such a brutal or good job, depending on how you're looking at it, of getting this like free PR and then absolutely s****** the bed." Mr Millar was equally scathing, saying: "They're just milking that for everything they can," and suggesting the brand was simply 'maximising the value from her fame that came from Suits and being a part of the Royal Family". Despite mounting rumours about the future of their Netflix contract, the company's Chief Content Officer Bela Bajaria struck a more optimistic tone in February, telling that Netflix was still "excited" about future projects with the Duke and Duchess. While Season Two of With Love, Meghan is expected to premiere later this year, a release date has yet to be announced. has contacted both Netflix and Sussex representatives for further comment.
Sky News AU
22-07-2025
- Business
- Sky News AU
‘Not a long-term strategy': Meghan Markle's As Ever company slammed by industry experts in scathing review
The jaw-dropping extent of Meghan Markle's business woes have been laid bare after an industry expert gave a withering verdict of the ex-working royal's fledging lifestyle brand. The Duchess of Sussex has spent the last two years working on a lifestyle brand and has earmarked plans to sell a range of products include homewares, cooking utensils, make-up and even pet food. Markle originally called the venture American Riviera Orchard and soft launched a line of strawberry jams before scrapping the ARO moniker and re-launching as 'As Ever' in February. The former working royal has since sold limited runs of a variety of conserves as well as a line of wines through the As Ever website. Industry insider Phillip Millar and Californian marketing executive Camille Moore, who have advised top brands such as Dior and Mercedes-Benz, recently examined Markle's business acumen to date. 'I feel like she's doing such a brutal or good job, depending on how you're looking at it, of getting this like free PR and then absolutely s****** the bed,' Ms Moore said while speaking on The Art of the Brand podcast. Mr Millar agreed, suggesting As Ever was merely a way of 'maximising the value from her fame that came from Suits and being a part of the Royal Family'. "They're just milking that for everything they can,' he said. 'You can make short-term money from it, but it's not a long-term strategy.' The experts also took aim at Markle's boasts about 'selling out' her jams and wines on her website without disclosing how many units she produced. 'Confectionery scarcity doesn't matter,' Mr Millar said. The harsh feedback comes after Markle reportedly drew the ire of Buckingham Palace after posting a note reading "With the Compliments of HRH The Duchess of Sussex" to promote her brand on social media. The move appeared to directly contravene the Sussexes' commitment not to use the HRH in commercial or public settings after stepping back as working royals in 2020.
Yahoo
01-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Meghan Markle Debuts First As Ever Rosé on Princess Diana's Birthday
Meghan Markle officially launched the first alcoholic offering of her lifestyle brand, As Ever, debuting its 2023 Napa Valley Rosé on Tuesday — a meaningful date for both her and Prince Harry. July 1 is notably the late Princess Diana's birthday. The date also marks the beginning of Prince Harry's and Markle's relationship. In his memoir, 'Spare,' published in 2023, Prince Harry revealed he started talking to Markle via Instagram on July 1, 2016, what would have been Diana's 55th birthday. The couple ultimately married on May 19, 2018. More from WWD Princess Diana's Birthday Looks Through the Years: Her Sleek Black Jacques Azagury Dress, Vibrant Colors and More Lady Amelia and Lady Eliza Spencer Twin in Coordinated Red Gowns for the 2025 Serpentine Gallery Summer Party Princess Diana's Wedding Gown Sweeps Into the Spotlight - Again - in New Documentary As Ever's 2023 Napa Valley Rosé kicks off the brand's expansion into wine, with a Méthode Champenoise Napa Valley sparkling wine planned for the near future. This rosé is a curated blend inspired by Provençal-style wines and sourced from Napa Valley. Its pale blush color offers roundness and depth, featuring gentle minerality and soft stone fruit notes with a lasting finish. The blend includes Cabernet Sauvignon, Mourvèdre, Grenache and Syrah varietals. Priced at $30 a bottle and sold in sets of three bottles ($90), half case ($159), and full case ($300), the rosé is available for purchase exclusively at Markle first announced the release of the rosé on June 20, accompanied by As Ever's summer drop, which introduced two new products: an Apricot Spread, priced at $9, and an Orange Blossom Honey, retailing at $28, which features floral notes and citrus undertones. Markle launched the As Ever brand, a reconfiguration of her initial American Riviera Orchard label, in February. ''As ever' means 'as it's always been' or some even say 'in the same way as always,'' Markle wrote on her Instagram back then. 'If you've followed along since my days of creating The Tig, you'll know this couldn't be truer for me. This new chapter is an extension of what has always been my love language, beautifully weaving together everything I cherish — food, gardening, entertaining, thoughtful living and finding joy in the everyday.' View Gallery Launch Gallery: Meghan Markle's Style Throughout the Years: The Duchess of Sussex Before & After Royal Life Best of WWD Superfake Rolexes Are Getting Smarter: How to Spot Counterfeit Timepieces in the Luxury Watch Market Stores Closing in the U.S. in 2025: Joann, Kohl's, JCPenney and More Companies Facing Financial Challenges The History Behind the World's Most Expensive Hats: From Princess Beatrice's Royal Wedding Headpiece to the $2.7 Million Chapeau D'Amour and More
Daily Mirror
22-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Meghan Markle's eagle-eyed fans spot 'mortifying blunder' in Instagram post
Meghan Markle's latest Instagram post from her brand As Ever was questioned by fans after they pointed out a small blunder as Meghan thanked her followers for 'being here' Eagle-eyed fans have pointed out a surprising blunder in Meghan Markle's latest Instagram post from her brand As Ever, as she thanks her followers for their support. The picture is of a kitchen counter top with a small note which reads 'You're beautiful. Full stop' in handwriting. Meghan captioned the post: 'It's true. From our hearts to your homes: thank you for being here. You're the sweetest part of what we do!' The note is placed candidly on the table along with a rolling pin, two eggs, scattered flour and what is believed to be Meghan's left hand in the corner. However, fans believe the image may not have been taken in her home and may be a screen grab due to a small black and white cursor at the left-hand side of the screen. Followers took to social media to point out the blunder as one person said: 'Eagle eye right there', leading to many other comments. Another added: 'I didn't even notice that, well spotted'. The comments section has since been turned off on Instagram. The brand sells an array of products, including cookie mix and spreads. According to their website: 'As ever is more than a brand - it's a love language. Created by Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, As ever welcomes you to a collection of products, each inspired by her long-lasting love of cooking, entertaining, and hostessing with ease. This curated collection has been crafted to elevate your everyday and inspire moments of joy.' The Instagram cursor blunder has drawn attention to other social media mishaps where Meghan came under fire. Fans pointed out a similar situation at the beginning of the year when Meghan made her long-awaited return to social media with a video of herself writing '2025' in the sand. It didn't take long for some viewers to point out a previous attempt in the sand and suggest that the video wasn't as candid as it looked, but rather took a few takes. One follower penned: 'Wonder how many it took to get the perfect shot?'. Meghan originally announced the brand earlier this year and shared its name with her fans and followers. She initially called the brand American Riviera Orchard, however, she swiftly changed the name for reasons she explained online. She said: 'Last year, I had thought, 'American Riviera', that sounds like such a great name… but it limited me to things that were just manufactured and grown in this area.' She added: 'As Ever essentially means as it's always been… If you've followed me since 2014 with The Tig, you know I've always loved cooking and crafting and gardening — this is what I do.'
Daily Mirror
04-06-2025
- Business
- Daily Mirror
Meghan Markle makes huge U-turn as she issues major announcement about her jam
Meghan Markle previously told her podcast that she was "pausing" the restock of her As Ever products, including her jam, but it seems she's backtracked on her future business plans Meghan Markle has made a huge U-turn in a new announcement about restocking her As Ever products, including her jam. In a new Instagram post, she promised that her goods would be back in stock later this month and teased other new items, saying there would be "a few new things we can't wait to show you". The about-turn came just hours after she was heard telling Beyoncé's mother that she had decided to "just pause" until she was completely ready. Meghan appeared on her own podcast, Confessions of a Female Founder, yesterday, recorded in May, telling Tina Knowles she feared annoying customers when the first batch of her jam and herbal teas sold out in less than an hour. She said she wanted to wait until it is "completely stable and we have everything we need". However, just hours later, Meghan shared a photo of jam-making preparations including bowls of strawberries, raspberries and blueberries, and freshly squeezed lemons, on her Instagram stories, writing: "June gloom?' Not over here! Because this month your favourite products are back." Her official As Ever account also posted: "To all who've been wondering and waiting, thank you. Your favourites are returning, plus a few NEW things we can't wait to show you. Coming this month…get excited!" The duchess's bonus Confessions Of A Female Founder episode with Knowles was recorded on May 5, the day before Prince Archie's sixth birthday. Meghan, who celebrated Princess Lilibet's fourth birthday today by sharing previously unseen black and white family photographs of herself with her daughter, began selling her As Ever products in April. The range includes flower sprinkles, which she used liberally during her Netflix lifestyle show, and raspberry spread, a crepe mix, wildflower honey and an assortment of herbal teas. She renamed her brand from American Riviera Orchard after running into trademark issues. In her podcast from yesterday, Meghan also expressed her dream of launching a future business with daughter Princess Lilibet, after talking to Knowles about the Cecred haircare line she started with Beyonce. "I wonder if one day I'll be in business with Lili and we'll be building something," the duchess said, with Knowles adding: "That's the best." Knowles chatted to Meghan about how pop superstar Beyonce could have been a hairdresser after growing up watching her mother work in a salon. The pair discussed the singer using wigs on stage, with Meghan revealing she was advised by other actresses to start wearing them while working on Suits but she chose not to do so. Knowles said: "She's on a stage with hot lights and she wears wigs a lot, and she's managed to keep her hair beautiful and healthy and that's not an easy task when you're in showbiz.' Meghan replied: "That is a testament. I mean, even on Suits, I was on Suits for seven years, and I remember so many other actresses, especially if you're in that grind, they said 'You are going to fry your hair', and everyone was recommending that I should start wearing wigs. "I never ended up doing it. By the way, if I was in that industry longer, I understand why you need to protect your hair in that way." Get Royal Family updates straight to your WhatsApp!
