Embarrassing Revelation: Meghan’s Controversial Move with American Riviera Orchard

Meghan Markle, known for her advocacy against the perils of social media, recently unveiled her newest project, American Riviera Orchard, on Instagram.

This venture, centered around lifestyle and culinary pursuits, is anticipated to align with the debut of a cooking show on Netflix.

The Instagram account, adorned with a logo and a bio identifying Meghan as the Duchess of Sussex, directed followers to a website for joining a waitlist.

Impressively, the account quickly amassed 525,000 followers.

However, scrutiny revealed that Meghan had resorted to purchasing followers for the American Riviera Orchard page, with only 173,000 being authentic.

The brand's logo, featuring the term Montecito, the locale in California where Meghan and Prince Harry now reside, hinted at offerings ranging from cookbooks to home essentials.

The name, inspired by a property in Santa Barbara dubbed the American Riviera, is poised to cater to domestic needs.

Despite Meghan's fervor for women's rights, Kate Manley, assistant editor at the Times, expressed skepticism about the launch during a Times Radio segment.

She likened the endeavor to a defunct record label, highlighting the irony of promoting home goods while shying away from attention.

Criticism further mounted as PR expert Ryan McCormick weighed in on Meghan's business strategy.

He raised concerns about the authenticity of the company's Instagram following, pointing out the lack of engagement metrics on posts and suspicious user activity.

McCormick also lamented the absence of a clear company profile or product line on the American Riviera Orchard website, emphasizing the missed potential for capitalizing on the buzz surrounding the launch.

The controversial use of Meghan's royal titles in the brand's bio sparked backlash from online commentators.

Many questioned the necessity of associating her former royal status with the new venture, labeling it as pretentious and opportunistic.

Some argued that Meghan's success should not hinge on her royal lineage, while others dismissed the relevance of titles in a democratic society like the United States.

In light of the mixed reception to American Riviera Orchard, Meghan faces a wave of scrutiny regarding the authenticity and appeal of her latest endeavor.

Despite her noble intentions and advocacy efforts, the juxtaposition of privilege and commercialism in this venture has stirred debate among critics and supporters alike.

As the controversy unfolds, Meghan's foray into the world of lifestyle branding continues to be met with both intrigue and skepticism.

The saga of American Riviera Orchard serves as a cautionary tale of the complexities inherent in navigating fame, activism, and entrepreneurship in the digital age.