America’s original lifestyle queen has spoken, and she’s not handing out gold stars just yet. In a recent interview with Yahoo Lifestyle, Martha Stewart, 83, got candid about the new wave of celebrity lifestyle gurus. And yes, Meghan Markle was right at the top of the list.
Stewart, who built a billion-dollar empire on home living, cooking, and crafting long before Instagram even existed, offered a lukewarm take on Markle’s recent endeavors in the space. When asked about the Duchess of Sussex entering the lifestyle arena, Stewart responded…well, quite bluntly to say the least. “Meghan I don’t really know very well, and I hope she knows what she’s talking about.”
That’s about as subtle a side-eye as Martha gives. But, no, it didn’t stop there.
“Authenticity, to me, is everything,” Stewart added. “To be authentic and knowledgeable about your subject matter is extremely important.” In other words, don’t just put your name on a jar of honey and call yourself an expert.
At least she was honest, right?
Martha Stewart on Meghan Markle’s Lifestyle Credentials
For those of you who might not know, Markle, 43, launched her brand “As Ever” earlier this year. She rolled out a line of lifestyle products, including raspberry jam, flower sprinkles, herbal teas, cookie mixes, and rosé. The launch coincided with her Netflix series “With Love, Meghan,” an eight-episode show where the Duchess leans into her passions for cooking, entertaining, gardening, and (of course) branding.
Despite social media debate, the show was picked up for a second season. And while Meghan has insisted she’s “not an influencer,” telling PEOPLE earlier this year that she sees herself more as “an entrepreneur and a female founder,” Stewart seems to think the title comes with a responsibility to actually know your stuff.
Meanwhile, Gwyneth Paltrow, another actress-turned-wellness-mogul, got a glowing review from Stewart. “Gwyneth has been very successful,” she said. “She created quite an interesting body of businesses. She’s admired. She won an Oscar, for heaven’s sake, as an actress! She’s pretty powerful.”
Translation: Stewart respects the hustle only if the hustle has depth. Which is understandable, of course.
No Feud, Just Pie (Maybe)
Despite all the headlines suggesting celebrity rivalries, Paltrow and Markle seemed to squash any rumors of beef earlier this year. In a cheeky Instagram Story, Gwyneth responded to a fan’s question about the supposed drama by panning the camera to show Meghan at her kitchen table, eating a slice of pie, and shrugging.
It was a callback to Paltrow’s earlier quote in Vanity Fair, where she joked about trying to get through Markle and Prince Harry’s Montecito security to deliver baked goods. “Maybe I’ll try to bring them a pie,” she said.
Turns out, pie might not fix everything, but it might be the best PR strategy of the year.
While Stewart didn’t slam the Duchess outright, her remarks were a masterclass in polite skepticism. She wished both women “good luck,” but her emphasis on authenticity and expertise made it clear. Not all lifestyle brands are created equal, and not all are Stewart-approved.
Want to make it in the lifestyle space? You’d better bring more than rosé, pie, and charm.
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Martha Stewart Weighs in on Meghan Markle’s Lifestyle Brand: ‘Be Authentic & Knowledgeable’