The highly anticipated trailer for the second season of Meghan Markle’s Netflix series, With Love, Meghan, dropped on August 12, 2025, igniting a firestorm of online criticism that has cast a shadow over the Duchess of Sussex’s latest venture. Billed as a vibrant celebration of cooking, crafting, and connection, the trailer promised a star-studded lineup and a glimpse into Meghan’s curated Montecito lifestyle. Yet, instead of inspiring excitement, it has drawn sharp rebuke for its “creepy details” and awkward interactions, with viewers on social media platforms like X branding the preview as “forced,” “uncomfortable,” and “out of touch.” As the August 26 premiere looms, the backlash raises serious questions about whether Meghan’s ambitious return to the lifestyle space can overcome the public’s skepticism and deliver the heartfelt authenticity she’s aiming for.
From a jarring exchange with chef José Andrés to a polished aesthetic that feels more staged than spontaneous, the trailer has left many wondering if With Love, Meghan can escape the pitfalls that plagued its first season. With the world watching and critics ready to pounce, Meghan’s vision of “embracing playfulness over perfection” faces a tough test. Will her star power and celebrity guests salvage the show, or are the cracks already too deep to mend?
A Glitzy Trailer with a Polarizing Reception
The 110-second trailer, set to the upbeat tune of Bobby Day’s “Rockin’ Robin,” showcases Meghan in a sleek Montecito estate—not her own home, a detail that has fueled much of the criticism. She’s seen arranging flowers, baking pastel-hued desserts, and hosting an array of high-profile guests, including Chrissy Teigen, Tan France, José Andrés, David Chang, Samin Nosrat, Jay Shetty, Radhi Devlukia, and close friends like Heather Dorak and Daniel Martin. A voiceover captures Meghan’s ethos: “I love these moments of discovery and beauty, so let’s be curious together.” On the surface, it’s a glossy invitation to a world of elevated domesticity, tied to her lifestyle brand, As Ever, which has already seen sold-out launches of rosé and baking mixes.
Yet, the online reaction was swift and scathing. Posts on X labeled the trailer “pretentious” and “narcissistic,” with one user writing, “It’s like watching a staged Instagram reel trying too hard to be relatable.” Another commented, “The vibes are off—creepy, almost, like a performance no one asked for.” The criticism echoes the first season’s lukewarm reception, which debuted in March 2025 to a 33% critics’ score and 20% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes. Reviewers called it “queasy and exhausting” (The Independent) and a “new frontier in unrelatability” (Vulture), citing its polished detachment and lack of authenticity.
Awkward Moments That Stole the Spotlight
Several moments in the trailer have been singled out as particularly jarring. One widely discussed exchange occurs between Meghan and José Andrés, where she casually remarks, “You know who doesn’t like lobster? My husband.” Andrés quips, “And you married him anyway?” The line, meant to be playful, landed awkwardly for many viewers, who found it forced and out of place. “It felt like a scripted attempt at humor that didn’t hit,” one X user posted. “Why mention Harry like that? It’s weird.” The moment, coupled with Meghan’s revelation of Harry’s culinary tastes, was seen as a subtle dig, adding to speculation about the couple’s dynamic following their high-profile exit from royal life.
Another cringe-inducing scene involves Meghan and Samin Nosrat, author of Salt Fat Acid Heat, preparing a salad. Meghan, dressed in a £2,300 Carolina Herrera floral midi dress, suggests, “We don’t need to make a salad, let’s just go eat cheese.” Nosrat responds enthusiastically, but viewers called the exchange “stilted” and “unrelatable.” “Who wears a designer dress to chop vegetables?” one Instagram commenter asked, while another referenced Martha Stewart: “Even she wore pants in the kitchen!” The choice of attire, combined with the rented estate setting, fueled accusations that Meghan was prioritizing aesthetics over authenticity.
The trailer’s emphasis on Meghan’s “star-studded friends” also raised eyebrows. While guests like Mindy Kaling and Abigail Spencer appeared in season one, the addition of new faces like Chrissy Teigen and Tan France sparked mixed reactions. Some praised the lineup, but others questioned the friendships’ depth. “She’s calling these people her best friends, but it feels like a celebrity Rolodex,” a critic on X wrote. An awkward moment with Kaling, where Meghan corrects her for not using her Sussex title, went viral, with one user joking, “Mindy doesn’t know your last name? Some friend!” Royal commentator Helena Chard told Fox News that Meghan’s failure to “elevate” her guests—such as not asking Kaling about her production empire—made the interactions feel “self-consumed and tone deaf.”
The “Creepy Details” That Unsettled Viewers
Beyond the awkward exchanges, certain details in the trailer struck viewers as unsettling. The decision to film in a rented Montecito property rather than Meghan’s own home was a major point of contention. “It’s supposed to be an intimate lifestyle show, but she’s in someone else’s kitchen?” one X post read. “That’s creepy and fake.” The Telegraph noted that the rented estate, complete with a “snoring dog” that doesn’t belong to Meghan, undermines the show’s promise of a “softer, domestic side.” Critics argued that this choice, likely made to accommodate camera crews and protect her family’s privacy, created a disconnect that made the trailer feel like a “performance” rather than a genuine glimpse into her life.
The trailer’s hyper-polished aesthetic also drew fire. Every frame, from the chromatic fruit arrangements to the artisanal plates, screamed perfection, clashing with Meghan’s stated goal of “playfulness over perfection.” “It’s like a Goop ad on steroids,” one viewer tweeted, referencing Gwyneth Paltrow’s lifestyle brand. The inclusion of As Ever products, such as flower sprinkles and teas, felt like a blatant commercial plug to some, with one X user calling it “a glorified infomercial.” The trailer’s soundtrack and Meghan’s frequent use of words like “love,” “joy,” and “friends” were meant to evoke warmth but instead came off as “syrupy” to detractors, who found the tone overly curated.
A subtle but eerie detail was a fleeting shot of Meghan arranging flowers, which some viewers linked to her estranged sister-in-law, Princess Catherine, known for her love of gardening. “Is she trying to channel Kate’s hobbies?” one commenter speculated on Instagram. “It feels like a weird nod.” While likely coincidental, the moment added to the trailer’s unsettling vibe for those already skeptical of Meghan’s intentions.
A High-Stakes Gamble for Meghan and Netflix
The backlash comes at a critical time for Meghan and Prince Harry’s Archewell Productions, which recently extended its multi-year deal with Netflix. The couple’s $100 million contract, signed in 2020, has produced mixed results, with their 2022 docuseries Harry & Meghan drawing massive viewership but polarizing reviews, and Harry’s Polo documentary flopping with just 500,000 views. With Love, Meghan’s first season ranked a disappointing 383rd on Netflix’s 2025 viewership list with 5.3 million views, far behind hits like Squid Game. Royal commentator Neil Sean, speaking on his YouTube channel, alleged that Netflix executives are “scrambling” to justify their investment, with some pushing for last-minute reshoots to salvage the second season.
Meghan’s return to the lifestyle space is deeply personal, harking back to her pre-royal blog, The Tig, which covered food, travel, and beauty. She’s positioned With Love, Meghan as a continuation of that passion, telling PEOPLE that it’s about “creating moments that let people know I was thinking of them.” Yet, the trailer’s reception suggests she’s struggling to shake the perception of inauthenticity that has dogged her since stepping back from royal duties. “She’s not relatable,” one X user wrote bluntly. “She’s trying to be Martha Stewart, but it feels like a costume.” Others, however, defend her, with Essence arguing that the show reflects Meghan’s “soft girl era” and shouldn’t be judged by those predisposed to hate her.
Can Meghan Turn the Tide?
Despite the criticism, there are glimmers of hope for With Love, Meghan. Supporters on X have called the trailer “charming” and praised its high production value, helmed by director Michael Steed of Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown. The show’s roster of culinary and cultural heavyweights could attract viewers, and Meghan’s As Ever brand, with its rapid sell-outs, proves she has a market. A holiday special, With Love, Meghan: Holiday Celebration, set for December 2025, suggests Netflix’s continued faith in her vision.
Still, the trailer’s missteps have amplified doubts. Royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams told The Mirror that the show feels like “celebrity at its most superficial,” while Collider questioned why Meghan faces such intense backlash compared to other lifestyle hosts. Some argue the criticism is less about the show and more about Meghan herself, with her royal past and polarizing public image coloring perceptions. “People don’t hate the show; they hate her,” pop culture analyst Rob Shuter told USA Today. “She’s held to a different standard.”
As August 26 approaches, Meghan faces a pivotal moment. Can she deliver a series that transcends the trailer’s awkwardness and wins over skeptics? Or will With Love, Meghan become another chapter in her struggle to redefine her narrative? The world is watching, and for better or worse, Meghan’s next move will be impossible to ignore.
