Meghan Markle is stepping into the spotlight once again, but this time not for royalty or politics. Her upcoming Netflix series, With Love, Meghan, premieres Tuesday and promises an elegant blend of cooking, flower-picking, and lifestyle wisdom from the Duchess herself. Set against the backdrop of a glossy Californian mansion, the show has already stirred conversation across the internet – not just for what it offers, but what it represents.
From Duchess to Domestic Guru
With Love, Meghan was delayed due to the Los Angeles wildfires, but it’s now poised to become a streaming sensation. Featuring Markle in her element – curating floral arrangements, sharing recipes with friends, and offering heartfelt advice – the show harks back to the era of traditional domestic goddesses. The New York Times dubbed her “the millennial Martha Stewart of Montecito,” but not everyone is enchanted by the transformation.
Critics have labeled her out-of-touch and even accused her of promoting a “trad wife” image — one that leans into outdated, patriarchal ideals. But as always, Meghan remains a polarizing figure: both idolized and criticized, depending on who’s watching.
The Modern Obsession with Trad Wives
The domestic goddess trend has seen a major revival in 2025, with figures like model Nara Smith capturing millions of TikTok fans through her highly stylized homemaking videos. From ballgowns in the kitchen to homemade bubblegum for toddlers, Smith’s life may be unrealistic for most, but it’s undeniably mesmerizing for many.
Dr. Edith Hill, a scholar specializing in influencer culture and women’s bodies online, explains that “there is no one ideal image of a woman online today.” Communities have fractured ideals, and this duality fuels the love-hate relationship many feel toward lifestyle influencers.
Old Icons, New Questions
While Meghan joins the likes of Gwyneth Paltrow and Ina Garten in lifestyle branding, the idea of the domestic goddess is nothing new. Martha Stewart, the original household guru, turned cleaning and cooking into a billion-dollar empire. Her 1982 guidebook, Entertaining, is being republished this year — a sign that nostalgia for “simpler” times is trending.
Ina Garten, affectionately known as The Barefoot Contessa, has carved out her own legacy with effortless yet indulgent cooking. Her latest memoir reinforces the appeal of well-curated domestic bliss, albeit with a dash of realism — store-bought is fine, after all.
The Irony and Burden of Perfection
The British writer Shirley Conran tried to warn us in the 1970s: “Life is too short to stuff a mushroom.” Her Superwoman manual aimed to free women from domestic tyranny, not enshrine it. Nigella Lawson, too, began with anti-perfectionist ethos. Her 1998 book How to Be a Domestic Goddess was meant as a joke — one that critics didn’t quite get at the time.
Lawson is now a UK national treasure, but she too faced backlash early on for promoting “unfeminist” ideas. Today, she argues that baking is a feminist act. Meghan, meanwhile, insists she’s not chasing perfection but joy. Still, many viewers can’t ignore the privilege required to pursue such joy in a luxury setting with ample help.
Luxury, Aspiration, and Reality
The allure of the domestic goddess lies in its polished escapism. It’s a fantasy — of control, comfort, and beauty — that is far from the chaotic reality of most women’s lives. Critics point out that all this lifestyle content doubles as marketing for high-end product lines, from Meghan’s new brand As Ever to Gwyneth’s Goop.
And yet, there’s a strange comfort in these curated narratives. Watching Meghan choose flowers or Nara Smith bake in couture offers a momentary reprieve. As Dr. Hill notes, “We can be inspired by these women while also recognizing it is wholly impossible to attain.”
So when With Love, Meghan drops on Netflix, expect a ratings hit. Whether it’s loved, hate-watched, or dissected, the show taps into a deep well of cultural tension around femininity, domesticity, and aspiration. Just don’t expect Meghan to stuff any mushrooms.
Category: Entertainment, Lifestyle, Culture
Tags: Meghan Markle, With Love Meghan, Netflix lifestyle series, domestic goddesses, trad wives, Martha Stewart, Nigella Lawson, Nara Smith, Ina Garten, feminist debates, modern femininity, celebrity influencers
