Meghan Markle was referenced in a new star-studded show (Image: Getty)
Meghan Markle has quite literally become a punchline in Hollywood. Referenced in the addictive new show, The Five Star Weekend, it’s ChloĂ« Sevigny’s straight-talking character, Tatum, who jokes about the Duchess of Sussex in episode two.
While discussing the fact that their mutual friend, food influencer Hollis (played by rom-com royalty Jennifer Garner), refuses to open up about the loss of her late husband, Tatum quips: “Does anyone know what the f**k we’re actually doing here? Are we just supposed to Meghan Markle cosplay all weekend?”
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A telling comment, the show itself feels reminiscent of Netflix’s cooking show, With Love, Meghan, thanks to its affluent and polished setting. Determined to be the ultimate hostess, a grieving Hollis throws herself into creating decorative itineraries and personalised gift baskets, while putting together elegant tablescapes and baking blackberry galette (which is a fancy word for a “pie without a top,” by the way). In a nutshell, her quiet luxury aesthetic, lavish beachfront home in Cape Cod, and focus on ‘foodfluencing’ couldn’t feel more Meghan-coded, and based on Tatum’s dialogue, the parallels are supposed to be there.
Delving that bit deeper, what feels most apparent from this one line is the notion that Hollis would rather focus on superficial things like pastries, table settings or Instagram likes, rather than dealing with reality, and it’s not exactly a glowing comparison for Meghan.
ChloĂ« Sevigny’s character jokes about the Duchess (Image: Netflix)
In recent months, it’s felt like the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have lost their way in the US, and this TV snub appears to confirm it. From reports of fizzling friendships with A-listers like Oprah Winfrey, to the couple’s departure from Spotify and Meghan’s allegedly dwindling As Ever sales, her relationship with Netflix could be crumbling, too.
Earlier this year, the streaming giant confirmed that it would no longer provide financial backing to Meghan’s brand, As Ever, which was supposedly pre-agreed with the Duchess. More recently, however, With Love, Meghan was not renewed for a third season, though it did receive a Daytime Emmy nomination in the outstanding lifestyle programme category.
Following the show’s nomination, however, Netflix’s failure to include With Love, Meghan in its specially curated edit of Emmy-nominated shows was widely perceived as a snub this week. Whether or not the mum-of-two remains on good terms with the company remains to be seen, but one thing that’s become clear is that her personal brand just isn’t being taken seriously these days. The proof is in the pie, aka The Five Star Weekend.
The Five Star Weekend is available to stream on Sky and NOW.
