In the ever-evolving landscape of celebrity-driven content, where stars pivot from acting to authoring empires of lifestyle brands and streaming series, a fresh storm has erupted in the world of culinary television. Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, has found herself at the center of heated accusations that her Netflix series, “With Love, Meghan,” is a blatant copy of Pamela Anderson’s earlier-launched show, “Pamela’s Cooking with Love.” What began as whispers on social media has ballooned into a full-fledged debate, with viewers dissecting trailers, episode formats, and even aesthetic choices, questioning whether originality still holds sway in the saturated market of celebrity cooking shows. As of August 11, 2025, the controversy shows no signs of simmering down, highlighting the fine line between inspiration and imitation in Hollywood’s content machine.
The saga unfolded shortly after “With Love, Meghan” premiered on Netflix on March 4, 2025. The eight-episode series, executive produced by Meghan herself through her and Prince Harry’s Archewell Productions, positions the Duchess as a gracious host in her Montecito home. Each episode revolves around themes of hospitality, creativity, and connection, blending cooking segments with crafts, gardening tips, and heartfelt conversations with guests. Meghan, clad in effortless chic attire—think linen aprons and sunlit kitchens—whips up recipes like honey-lemon cakes, single-skillet spaghetti, and artisanal jams, often tying them to personal anecdotes from her life. Guests include close friends like Mindy Kaling and Tracy Robbins, as well as culinary experts such as Roy Choi, who collaborate on dishes inspired by global flavors and seasonal ingredients.
The show’s aesthetic is polished yet approachable: soft lighting filters through Meghan’s expansive California kitchen, with shots of her organic garden providing fresh produce. Crafts intersperse the cooking, such as making floral ice cubes or Epsom bath salts, emphasizing a holistic lifestyle. Netflix marketed it as “a magical guide to hosting,” with trailers featuring Meghan’s warm narration: “Love is in the details.” Critics initially praised its aspirational vibe, drawing comparisons to Martha Stewart’s empire, but audience reception was mixed. While some lauded the empowering messages and easy-to-follow recipes, others found it “inauthentic” or overly curated, a critique that echoed broader sentiments about Meghan’s post-royal ventures.
Enter Pamela Anderson’s “Pamela’s Cooking with Love,” which debuted on Prime Video and Binge on February 26, 2025—just weeks before Meghan’s series. The show, airing Mondays on Canada’s Flavour Network and available internationally, marks a triumphant return for the Baywatch icon, now 58, who has reinvented herself as a vegan advocate and homebody. Filmed on her stunning rural property on Vancouver Island, the series invites sought-after chefs to collaborate with Pamela on plant-based meals. Episodes focus on sustainable cooking, drawing from her garden and local foraged ingredients, with a rustic, down-to-earth charm. Pamela, often in casual overalls or flowy dresses, shares stories from her life— from her modeling days to her activism—while preparing dishes like vegan stews, fresh salads, and innovative desserts.
The format emphasizes collaboration and joy, with guests engaging in light-hearted banter amid breathtaking natural backdrops. Pamela’s self-deprecating humor shines through; in one episode, she laughs off a kitchen mishap, saying, “I’m no pro, but cooking with love makes it all better.” The show’s teaser, released in October 2024, featured serene shots of her island home, accompanied by her voiceover: “This is where I find peace—in the kitchen, with good food and great company.” It quickly garnered praise for its authenticity, with viewers calling it “comforting like Bake Off” and appreciating Pamela’s approachable demeanor.
The copying allegations surfaced almost immediately after Meghan’s trailer dropped in January 2025, but intensified post-premiere. Social media platforms, particularly X (formerly Twitter) and Reddit, became hotbeds for comparisons. Users pointed out striking similarities: both shows feature celebrity hosts in idyllic home settings, inviting guests for collaborative cooking sessions, emphasizing love and personal stories in their titles and narratives. One viral X thread, amassing over 50,000 likes, juxtaposed clips side-by-side— Meghan arranging flowers in her kitchen versus Pamela foraging in her garden; both ending episodes with shared meals and toasts to friendship.
“With Love, Meghan is straight-up copying Pamela’s Cooking with Love,” tweeted influencer @CelebTeaSpiller on March 5, 2025. “Same vibe, same structure, even the titles scream rip-off. Meghan saw Pam’s success and thought, ‘I’ll have that.'” The post sparked a deluge of replies, with fans of Pamela echoing the sentiment: “Pam did it first, and better—more genuine, less staged.” On Reddit’s r/RoyalsGossip, a post titled “We Watched All 8 Episodes of Meghan Markle’s Netflix Show: Everything We Learned” devolved into debates, with users noting how both series incorporate crafts (Pamela’s includes simple DIYs like herb bundles) and focus on wellness through food.
Fueling the fire, some pointed to timelines. Pamela’s show was announced in mid-2024, with filming wrapping by fall, while Meghan’s was in production around the same period. Detractors speculated that Meghan, known for her keen eye on trends via her now-defunct blog The Tig, might have drawn “inspiration” from early buzz around Pamela’s project. The Daily Mail ran a headline on February 24, 2025: “Meghan Markle Accused of Ripping Off Pamela Anderson as Fans Claim Trailer for Royals’ Netflix Series is Straight Copy of Teaser Clip for Baywatch Star’s Lifestyle Show.” The article highlighted visual parallels, like sun-dappled kitchens and heartfelt host monologues.
Not all reactions were negative. Supporters of Meghan dismissed the claims as misogynistic or rooted in anti-Sussex bias. “Cooking shows have been around forever—Martha, Rachael Ray, now Pam and Meghan. It’s not copying; it’s a genre,” argued a commenter on Instagram. Others noted differences: Meghan’s series leans more into lifestyle elements like hosting tips and crafts, while Pamela’s is strictly culinary and vegan-focused. “Pamela’s is rustic and eco-conscious; Meghan’s is elegant and inclusive,” said lifestyle blogger Elena Vasquez in a March 2025 post.
Pamela Anderson herself addressed the controversy in an interview on August 4, 2025, during promotions for her upcoming film role in the Naked Gun reboot. When asked by a reporter if she felt Meghan had copied her show, Pamela appeared surprised but gracious. “Copied? Oh, honey, no. She’s just doing her thing,” she said with a laugh. “I love that more women are getting into this space—cooking, sharing stories. If anything, it’s flattering. Meghan’s got her own style; mine’s all about the island life and plants. There’s room for all of us.” Her response, captured in outlets like the New York Post and People magazine, effectively shut down the drama from her end, earning praise for her classiness. “Pam is so down-to-earth; no ego there,” noted a fan on Reddit’s r/SaintMeghanMarkle.
Meghan, for her part, has not directly responded to the accusations, aligning with her strategy of rising above online noise. However, sources close to Archewell told Variety in March 2025 that the show was conceived independently, drawing from Meghan’s long-standing passion for food, evident in her 2018 cookbook “Together: Our Community Cookbook” for the Hubb Kitchen. “This has been in the works for years,” the insider said. “Any similarities are coincidental; the market is full of such formats.” Netflix, too, stood by the series, with a spokesperson highlighting its unique blend of “playfulness and perfection,” as described in promotional materials.
The brouhaha raises broader questions about originality in celebrity content. In an era where stars like Gwyneth Paltrow (Goop) and Reese Witherspoon (Hello Sunshine) dominate lifestyle media, is there truly new ground to tread? Experts argue that while formats overlap—host invites guests, cooks, chats—the magic lies in personal branding. “Meghan’s show feels aspirational, like a modern fairy tale,” says media analyst Dr. Sophia Reynolds. “Pamela’s is redemption-arc realness. Viewers accusing copycat are often projecting biases.” Indeed, both shows have found audiences: “With Love, Meghan” topped Netflix charts in its debut week, while “Pamela’s Cooking with Love” boosted Prime Video subscriptions in Canada.
Yet, the controversy underscores the scrutiny Meghan faces. Since stepping back from royal duties in 2020, every venture—from her children’s book “The Bench” to her podcast “Archetypes”—has been dissected. This latest flap echoes past claims, like her jam brand American Riviera Orchard being compared to other artisanal lines. For Pamela, the attention has been a boon, reviving interest in her show and her memoir “Love, Pamela,” released in 2023.
As the dust settles, both women continue forging ahead. Meghan has hinted at a second season, potentially expanding to travel episodes, while Pamela teases celebrity cameos in hers. In a divided digital world, perhaps the real lesson is that love—whether in cooking or content—transcends rivalry. Viewers may debate, but the kitchen remains a space for creation, not conflict. Whether “With Love, Meghan” truly echoes “Pamela’s Cooking with Love” or stands on its own, one thing is clear: in Hollywood’s recipe for success, a dash of drama keeps things spicy.
