Lifestyle mogul Martha Stewart has indicated skepticism about the Duchess of Sussex, Meghan Markle, potentially following in her footsteps as an entertaining and lifestyle authority.
Stewart, who has built an empire around her expertise in cooking, decorating, and hosting, made comments suggesting she doesn’t see the Duchess as her natural successor in the lifestyle space.
The Queen of Entertaining’s Perspective
Martha Stewart, long recognized as America’s premier lifestyle expert, has apparently cast doubt on whether Meghan Markle has what it takes to claim her throne. The businesswoman, who transformed home entertaining into a billion-dollar industry, seems to question whether the Duchess possesses the necessary skills or credibility to become the next major figure in the lifestyle sector.
Stewart’s empire spans magazines, television shows, product lines, and books – all built on her reputation for perfectionism and expertise in home arts. Her apparent reluctance to endorse Markle as a potential successor suggests she may not view the Duchess’s lifestyle credentials as comparable to her own extensive background.
Meghan’s Lifestyle Ambitions
Since stepping back from royal duties, Meghan Markle has made several moves into the lifestyle space. The Duchess has shown interest in areas that overlap with Stewart’s domain, including cooking, entertaining, and creating a welcoming home environment.
Markle previously ran a lifestyle blog called “The Tig” before her royal marriage, where she shared recipes, travel tips, and entertaining ideas. There has been speculation that the Duchess might revive her lifestyle brand or create a new one as she establishes her post-royal career in California.
Industry Reactions
Stewart’s apparent skepticism may reflect broader questions in the lifestyle industry about whether celebrity status alone provides sufficient foundation for authority in the demanding world of home entertaining.
“Being a successful lifestyle expert requires years of genuine experience and proven expertise,” notes one industry observer. “Martha built her brand on actual skills and knowledge, not just fame.”
The lifestyle market has become increasingly competitive, with many celebrities launching brands and product lines. However, few have achieved the lasting impact and authority that Stewart has maintained for decades.
Whether Markle can overcome such skepticism remains to be seen. The Duchess brings her own unique background and perspective to the lifestyle space, which could potentially appeal to a different audience than Stewart’s traditional following.
As Markle continues to define her post-royal identity and career, the question of whether she can establish herself as a legitimate authority in entertaining and lifestyle will likely remain open for some time.
