Meghan Markle’s Netflix Cooking Show Faces Setback as Selena Gomez Declines Guest Star Role

Meghan Markle's foray into the world of television production has hit a roadblock as Selena Gomez has flatly turned down an offer to appear as a guest star on her cooking show.

The news broke on April 11th when Deadline announced that Archwell Productions, owned by Meghan and Prince Harry, had given the green light to two Netflix series centered around their personal interests.

Markle's project will delve into the pleasures of cooking, gardening, entertaining, and friendship, with the Duchess herself taking on the role of executive producer.

The second series, still in its early stages, will shine a spotlight on professional polo, a sport close to Prince Harry's heart.

Some have likened the concept to a reality show based on polo, with Meghan possibly envisioning herself in a role akin to Julia Roberts in “Pretty Woman” at a polo event.

This development comes on the heels of Meghan's recent announcement about a mysterious lifestyle brand called American Riviera Orchard, rumored to be a revamped version of her previous blog, The Tig.

Speculation is rife that the brand may include a makeup line, as hinted by trademark filings that listed cosmetics among the offerings.

Despite Netflix's previous investment in a project related to Meghan's book, the focus has now shifted to her culinary endeavors, including a kitchen refurbishment akin to those undertaken by Spotify and The Home Studio.

Markle has enlisted showrunner Leah Harriton, known for her work on Selena Gomez's HBO cooking series, “Selena & Chef,” to lead the production.

Meghan's team expressed interest in having Selena Gomez as a guest star on the show, citing their shared backgrounds in acting, passion for cooking, and advocacy for mental health awareness.

However, Gomez's assistant dispelled rumors of her involvement, emphasizing Selena's commitment to learning from top chefs and her lack of interest in joining Meghan's project.

The assistant highlighted Gomez's humility regarding her cooking skills and her past experience judging a children's cooking show.

The dynamics behind the scenes of the Netflix series reveal a complex web of production responsibilities.

The Intellectual Property Corporation is tasked with the nitty-gritty aspects of Meghan's show, while Boardwalk Pictures handles Harry's polo-centric project.

Both the Duke and Duchess of Sussex will serve as executive producers, although questions linger about the asymmetry in their roles within each other's series.

Critics have been quick to question the appeal of Meghan's show, particularly in light of her reputation as a user of people and the perceived disconnect between her interests and the general public's preferences.

The skepticism extends to the choice of polo as a focal point, with doubts raised about the broader audience's interest in such niche content.

As the production gears up, the couple faces scrutiny over the timing of their venture and the perceived lack of relatability in their proposed programming.

In a landscape saturated with entertainment options, Meghan and Harry's latest endeavor faces an uphill battle to capture viewers' attention and resonate with a diverse audience.

The decision to delve into television production marks a significant shift for the royal couple, raising questions about their long-term goals and aspirations in the media industry.

Only time will tell whether their creative pursuits will strike a chord with audiences or fade into obscurity amidst the ever-evolving entertainment landscape.