Meghan Markle's Hollywood ambitions have hit another obstacle after her Netflix cooking show, With Love, Meghan, lost the Daytime Emmy for Outstanding Lifestyle Programme to Prime Video's A Different Breed, a documentary series about dogs. The Duchess of Sussex had been nominated for the award, but the defeat has reignited questions about her personal brand.
PR Expert Says 'Brand Meghan' Lacks Focus
Following the loss, Paul MacKenzie-Cummins, founder and managing director of Clearly PR, told the Daily Express that Meghan needs to establish a clear personal brand to build a loyal audience. He argued that her multiple roles as an actress, entrepreneur, producer and celebrity create a lack of clear identity, making it difficult for audiences to understand what her personal brand represents.
"What will matter far more to anyone considering commissioning her next project is whether she can attract an audience and give people a reason to keep watching," MacKenzie-Cummins said. "Her name can generate attention but the challenge is converting that interest into an audience that comes back for the programme itself."
Questions Over Her Public Identity
MacKenzie-Cummins added that the bigger question is not whether she wins awards but what she wants people to associate her with. "She currently has a portfolio career as actress, lifestyle entrepreneur, producer, and celebrity - all are competing for space within Brand Meghan," he said. "The problem with such an approach is that it makes it harder to establish a clear identity."
He concluded: "Who is she, what does she want to be known as?"
Upcoming MasterChef Role
The news comes as Meghan prepares to co-host Junior MasterChef Australia, with filming set to begin next year. The announcement was made months after Prince Harry and Meghan moved back to the UK with their two children, Archie and Lilibet, in August. Meghan appeared as a guest judge on MasterChef Australia earlier this year and said it was "an easy yes" when invited to return.
"I had an incredible time with the whole team at MasterChef this past April, so when they approached me to come back and work with this young group of talent, it was an easy yes," she said. "I love cooking with my own kids, so seeing what these young stars create in the kitchen is going to be a lot of fun. I can't wait to see what they cook up!"
