Meghan Markle admits to making ‘mistakes’ amid backlash over Netflix show and As Ever lifestyle brand

Meghan Markle has reflected on the ‘mistakes’ she made while trying to launch three ventures at once – amid the numerous problems plaguing her new show, lifestyle brand, and podcast.

Between the release of her Netflix series With Love, Meghan, the launch of her company As Ever, and now her Lemonada podcast, the Duchess of Sussex, 43, has certainly had a huge year already.

But each of Meghan’s endeavors has been plagued with its own slew of issues, resulting in the mother-of-two facing immense backlash.

Now, she has subtly addressed the difficulties surrounding her new ventures while speaking at the TIME100 Summit in New York City on Wednesday.

The former royal admitted that while releasing ‘three products at the same time,’ she decided to ‘give herself the space and grace to make mistakes’ as she ‘knows she’s not going to get it right’ every single day.

‘There were three projects that we were launching really at the same time. The past year-and-a-half have been incredibly busy and ambitious,’ she said.

‘Then you see it all come to life and try to give yourself the space and the grace to make mistakes, to know you’re not doing it right every day.’

She also confessed that she had trepidations before making her new series because she feared it would turn into a ‘reality show’ about her life.

‘I said, “How are we going to do a cooking show or a crafting show that doesn’t feel like a typical stand and stir [show],” which we all remember from back in the day,’ she explained.

‘I didn’t necessarily want to do that and I didn’t want a reality show.’

Meghan added that being a mom to her young kids Archie, five, and Lilibet, three, often puts things in perspective for her. 

‘Something that is seemingly so big somehow becomes so microscopic in importance compared to what’s happening with my children,’ she explained.

When asked how she handles being under a ‘microscope’ and facing immense ‘scrutiny,’ the 43-year-old explained that she has made a ‘very conscious effort to create boundaries for herself, her wellbeing, and mental health.’

She added that it’s especially important for her to be a good ‘role model’ so she can ‘raise a very strong and confident young woman.’

‘But also having son, I think that is just as paramount,’ she continued. 

‘[It’s important] for young men to be raised with a confidence and sense of self that is going to empower the women around them too. 

‘So I try to model that behavior, but again, it starts with whatever’s going on internally. 

‘I am able to just tune out whatever that noise is, really not give it any credence.’

Meghan donned a $5k Ralph Lauren suit for the event, where she was joined by her husband, Prince Harry.

Her series With Love, Meghan – which saw her and a rolodex of her famous friends in the kitchen as they prepared elaborate recipes and created home décor items – premiered last month on the streaming service, but instantly, it was met with negative reviews from critics and viewers alike. 

The launch of her company As Ever was also plagued by problems as some customers were left disappointed after their orders were canceled due to overselling.

In addition, it was revealed earlier this week that Meghan has tried to land an A-lister like Beyonce and Taylor Swift for her new female empowerment podcast, which is reportedly already in crisis after just three episodes. 

‘No one’s picking up the phone,’ one source close to the production claimed, adding: ‘The show is not landing.’

‘There’s no Taylor Swift. No Beyoncé. Not even a Hailey Bieber. And when you’re pitching female empowerment, that’s a problem.’

‘It speaks volumes for her pulling power. She’s not happy about her lack of appeal.’ 

Meghan interviewed Bumble founder Whitney Wolfe Herd on the debut episode of the Duchess of Sussex’s new Lemonada podcast, Confessions of a Female Founder. 

Her second instalment was with Reshma Saujani, founder of Girls Who Code, and today’s episode was with her friend, hair colorist Kadi Lee, whose company the former Suits star has also invested in. 

A source close to the making of the show said she and her team ‘dialed all the big names’ to join her for ‘honest conversations with women who’ve built from the ground up, faced challenges and kept going.’ 

But these calls have been quietly ignored, RadarOnline said. 

So instead of household names or cultural icons, Meghan is now expected to speak to more friends, influencers and startup entrepreneurs, as she tries to get her own As Ever brand off the ground. 

Even so, Meghan insisted at the TIME100 Summit that she’s the ‘happiest she’s ever been.’ 

‘And to have a partner and husband who is so supportive and have healthy kids who are so joyful in the freeness of their life and the safety of their life we created for them,’ she added.

‘Of all the things that happened I never would have imagined at this point I’d be so happy and free and I really do.’