Meghan Markle’s "With Love, Meghan" Netflix Series Sparks Backlash Over Luxurious Set
Filming at $8 Million Farmhouse, Not Her Own $14.65 Million Mansion
Former actress Meghan Markle is inviting Netflix viewers "at home" with her upcoming cooking and lifestyle series "With Love, Meghan," but there’s a catch. The home isn’t hers.
Instead of showcasing her $14.65 million Montecito mansion, Markle, 43, filmed the series at an $8 million farmhouse just 2 miles away, owned by local philanthropists Tom and Sherrie Cipolla, the Daily Mail revealed.
A Luxurious Set, Not Relatable
The choice of location has raised eyebrows, with critics calling it yet another tone-deaf move by the former working royal. The farmhouse, which occupies 4,500 square feet and features four bedrooms and five bathrooms, is far from the ordinary, with high-end cookware and luxury finishes.
A "Home" That’s Not Home
One insider told The Post that Markle had initially sought out the farmhouse aesthetic thinking it would help bring an "average rustic-look vibe" to viewers instead of filming at her extravagant Montecito mansion. However, it turned out to have had the opposite effect.
A Farmhouse with a Price Tag
The Cipolla farmhouse, nestled on 5 acres of avocado and lemon groves, features an open floor plan and chic design. While the home is valued at $8 million today, the Cipollas paid $4.7 million for it in 2017, according to Realtor.com.
A Kitchen Fit for a Queen
The kitchen, where Markle showcases her cooking and entertaining skills, is equipped with $19,000 Thermador range, $750 copper pans, and $80 chopping boards. The Caesartone countertops alone are worth thousands, and the cabinetry is punctuated with black walnut cutting boards priced at $75 each.
Celebrity Guests and High-End Brands
The show features celebrity guests like Mindy Kaling, Abigail Spencer, and Prince Harry, with scenes of flower arranging, cocktail mixing, and even harvesting honey from local beehives. The kitchen is filled with high-end brands, including $40 handcrafted plates from Los Angeles-based Earth and Element and a $345 salad bowl from Parisian brand Astier de Villatte.
Criticism and Relatability Issues
The decision to film at the Cipolla estate has added fuel to criticism of the Sussexes’ "relatability problem." Critics argue that the show’s opulence, including Meghan’s $500 Vitamix blender and coordinated Le Creuset cookware sets priced at $225 per piece, makes it difficult for viewers to relate to the series.
Conclusion
Meghan Markle’s "With Love, Meghan" series has sparked backlash over its luxurious set, with critics calling it another tone-deaf move by the former working royal. The show’s high-end brands and opulent settings may make it difficult for viewers to connect with the content.
FAQs
Q: Why did Meghan Markle choose to film at the Cipolla farmhouse?
A: Markle initially sought out the farmhouse aesthetic thinking it would help bring an "average rustic-look vibe" to viewers instead of filming at her extravagant Montecito mansion.
Q: How much did the Cipollas pay for the farmhouse?
A: The Cipollas paid $4.7 million for the farmhouse in 2017.
Q: What is the price tag of the kitchen’s high-end brands?
A: The kitchen features $19,000 Thermador range, $750 copper pans, and $80 chopping boards, with Caesartone countertops alone worth thousands, and cabinetry punctuated with black walnut cutting boards priced at $75 each.
Q: What is the purpose of the show?
A: Markle promises to share "personal tips and tricks" and embrace "playfulness over perfection," adding that the goal is to show "how easy it can be to create beauty, even in the unexpected."
