Few people find themselves in the crosshairs as often as Meghan Markle, regardless of whether you think she often paints the target on her own back, and it seems she’s even drawn some shade from one of America’s most-beloved sweethearts.
You could make the case that Martha Stewart, famed for her mastery of home economics, is the original lifestyle influencer.
Stewart, 83, has educated millions on everything from roasting chickens to replacing bedsheets, and her various endeavours have made her a business titan as well as a homely personality.
Meghan Markle is seemingly gunning for a similar brand, with a social media presence that has a huge focus on homemaking, a Netflix series, With Love, Meghan, following her lifestyle and tips for capturing a taste of the high life, and a range of bits and bobs available via her AsEver.com website.
As far as those efforts go, the controversy that’s followed Markle since shacking up with Prince Harry has shown no signs of slowing down. For example, her recent branded wine launch was heavily derided, particularly by the legions of Princess Diana stans, for being ‘tone deaf’.
As a challenger to her throne, it seems Martha Stewart isn’t immune to a bit of Meghan-bashing herself. In a conversation with Yahoo Lifestyle, she was asked for her thoughts on the former Suits star.
"Meghan, I don't really know very well, and I hope she knows what she's talking about," Stewart said.
"Authenticity, to me, is everything, and to be authentic and knowledgeable about your subject matter is extremely important.”
Of course, making anything out of that is purely conjecture.
However, she did spare some nice words for a similarly public-opinion-embattled celebrity lifestyle influencer; Gwyneth Paltrow. Perhaps there’s something to be made of that comparison.
"Gwyneth has been very successful; she created quite an interesting body of businesses. She's admired. She won an Oscar for heaven’s sake as an actress! She's pretty powerful," said Stewart.
As far as her thoughts on potential lifestyle queen successors go, she said: "I don't mind. Good luck."
While feeling some agitation towards the celebrity class is often fair enough, it’s undeniable that Markle gets pilloried more than most.
You don’t have to look far to find spurious claims of her supposed malevolent intentions. “Meghan Markle is planning to use the upcoming 2027 Invictus Games in Birmingham as her ‘trump card’ against the monarchy, a royal expert has said,” according to Sky News Australia, for example.
Let’s face it; there are certainly more insidious figures out there.
Featured Image Credit: Scott Eisen/Stringer/Getty ImagesTopics: Celebrity, Social Media
Rachael Davis