Gwyneth Paltrow has addressed comparisons between her wellness and lifestyle brand, Goop, and Meghan Markle’s latest Netflix series, With Love, Meghan. While both projects focus on lifestyle curation and well-being, Paltrow expressed support for Markle’s endeavor, emphasizing the importance of women uplifting one another.
Paltrow’s Perspective on Markle’s Lifestyle Brand
In a recent interview with Vanity Fair, the Oscar-winning actress was asked about Markle’s foray into the lifestyle space. Paltrow, who launched Goop in 2008, acknowledged the ongoing chatter about similarities between her brand and Markle’s show but dismissed any notion of competition.
“There’s noise about certain women in the culture, but I have always had a strong instinct to stand up for them,” Paltrow said. “I was raised to see other women as friends, not foes. I think there’s always more than enough to go around. Everybody deserves an attempt at everything that they want to try.
She credited her mother, Meet the Parents actress Blythe Danner, for instilling this belief in her at a young age. “Another woman is never your competition,” Paltrow recalled her mother telling her. “What is right for you will find you.”
Paltrow and Markle’s Relationship
Despite the speculation about their similarities, Paltrow clarified that she does not have a personal relationship with Markle or her husband, Prince Harry, even though they live in the same neighborhood.
“I don’t know Meghan and Harry,” she admitted. “I’ve met Meghan, and she seems really lovely, but I don’t know her at all. Maybe I’ll try to get through their security detail and bring them a pie.”
Meghan Markle’s Netflix Series and Its Reception
With Love, Meghan features the Duchess of Sussex sharing gardening, cooking, and hosting tips alongside celebrity guests and friends. The show also serves as an introduction to her lifestyle brand, which initially launched as American Riviera Orchard and has since been rebranded as As Ever.
Despite Markle’s enthusiasm for the project, the series has faced mixed reviews. Critics have expressed skepticism about the authenticity and originality of the concept, with some calling it overly curated and lacking depth.
The Independent’s Katie Rosseinsky delivered a particularly scathing review, giving the show just one star out of five. “The only tea that is being spilled here is brewed with fresh mint picked from Meghan’s garden,” Rosseinsky wrote. “The heady blend of aesthetic curation, inspiring truisms, and those inescapable edible flowers might well leave you feeling a bit queasy—or simply worn out at the prospect of having to adequately perform gratitude for all the thoughtful touches involved in Meghan’s ‘guest experience.’”
Defending With Love, Meghan
Not everyone has been critical of Markle’s latest endeavor. Michael Steed, the director of the series, has defended both the show and Markle’s passion for cooking.
“Her cooking is pretty spot-on,” Steed shared in an interview with People. “She’s not a chef, and it’s definitely not meant to make it seem like she is, but there’s just a love of cooking that is palpable.”
Regardless of the mixed reactions, Markle remains committed to her lifestyle brand and Netflix series. A second season of With Love, Meghan has already been filmed and is set for release this fall, with Steed returning as director.
The Legacy of Goop and Paltrow’s Influence
Paltrow’s Goop has grown into a global lifestyle empire, offering skincare, beauty, fashion, and home goods products. While it has been wildly successful, the brand has also faced criticism, particularly for some of its more controversial products—most famously, the “This Smells Like My Vagina” candle.
With Markle venturing into the lifestyle space, some have drawn parallels between her work and Paltrow’s. However, Paltrow appears unbothered by the comparisons, reiterating her belief that there is room for everyone in the industry.
As Markle continues to build her brand, it remains to be seen whether With Love, Meghan will achieve the longevity and influence of Goop. For now, both women are carving out their own unique paths in the world of wellness and lifestyle.
