Meghan Markle’s Netflix show has felt “forced and fake” from the beginning of its inception, says British chef Jameson Stocks.
Stocks, 41, recently claimed he was asked to consult on what he believed to be Markle’s show, With Love, Meghan, but turned down the offer as to not be “slammed” for his participation.
“I was asked last year by Netflix if I wanted to consult on a lifestyle program. They didn’t go into too much detail about who it was but I already kind of knew anyway,” Stocks told GB News, according to a video interview shared by the Daily Mail on Sunday, March 9. “I felt like even if she produced a really great program, which I was quite skeptical of, that I might get a little bit slammed for being a part of it.”
The Michelin-starred chef — whose website states he’s an executive producer of food shows and an Executive Chef consultant for numerous prominent companies — went on to say that he was worried about the possible public perception of the show, perhaps considering the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s exit from the royal family.
Us Weekly has reached out to Meghan’s team for comment on Stocks’ claims.
“I didn’t like the idea of me showing her how to do something and then it being forced and fake,” Stocks added of Meghan, 43, who married Prince Harry in 2018. (They share two children, Prince Archie, 5, and Princess Lilibet, 3.)
“I imagine Netflix would have had two or three consultants — a stylist for her clothes, to give her ideas for the food. If she is going to do something herself, she should do something herself. Netflix is obviously such a huge company, they’re going to surround her with quality people to make her look good. At the end of the day, they’re trying to chase the money,” he added.
Stocks also claimed he watched With Love, and didn’t like it.
“I honestly thought it was terrible. Everything — the music is quite slow, it’s quite lethargic, it’s quite painful to watch. I think she should go back to acting,” he said, seemingly referencing her past role on Suits. “She’s quite a good actress. In real life or on screen. People should stick to what they do best.”
Those who actually worked on Meghan’s lifestyle series — which has already been renewed for a second season — feel quite differently.
In an interview with People, published on Saturday, March 8, With Love’s director Michael Steed said Meghan was “friendly” while filming and managed to create a “comfortable environment” on set.
Meanwhile, an unnamed member of the crew told the outlet that Meghan was “warm,” “approachable,” and “genuine.”
“She made sure everyone felt included, from Netflix executives to our director to every PA on set. No one was left out,” the crew member said.
Steed noted that the duchess is not a professional chef but a home cook — and was not trying to pretend to be anything else.
“Her cooking is pretty spot-on. 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,” Steed said.
“It feels as though we’re just spending time together, which is what it ended up being,” Meghan told People of the crew’s presence in the series. “I’d make a recipe and say, ‘Everyone try this,’ and there are certain dishes where you just watch everyone flock in. I’d say, ‘We’ve run out of spoons!’ It ended up feeling so communal, and that’s the spirit of the show.”
With Love featured Meghan cooking, creating and crafting for family and friends alike, including actresses Mindy Kaling and Abigail Spencer, as well as chef Roy Choi. Harry, 40, also made a brief appearance alongside Meghan’s mom, Doria.
The series’ second season has already been filmed and will premiere on the streamer this fall.
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