Martha Stewart Casts Doubt on Meghan Markle’s Lifestyle Pivot

Stewart, 83, dismissed the notion that an actress-turned-royal can seamlessly pivot into a homemaking authority. During an interview with People Magazine, she argued that the career trajectory lacks a natural progression, suggesting that the jump from Hollywood and the monarchy to a cooking show feels forced. This critique echoes her earlier sentiments from August 2025, where she emphasized that true success in the lifestyle space requires deep, authentic expertise rather than just a public platform.

While Stewart remains skeptical, the industry reaction to Markle’s ventures has been mixed. Gwyneth Paltrow has publicly defended the Duchess, framing market competition as healthy and advocating for Markle’s right to pursue her business ambitions without constant scrutiny. Meanwhile, the professional landscape for Markle has grown increasingly complicated; Netflix reportedly concluded its partnership with her lifestyle brand, American Riviera Orchard, following the completion of its second season. Stewart, by contrast, continues to expand her own portfolio, recently debuting a luxury skincare line, Elm Biosciences, developed alongside dermatologist Dr. Dhaval Bhanusali after five years of research.