EXCLUSIVE: The Duchess of Sussex made a new TV appearance this summer, and an expert weighs in on whether it was smart or not.
Meghan Markle calls Harry ‘a charmer’ during TV appearance
Meghan Markle was criticised for making a “silly” move after her appearance on a popular TV show. The Duchess of Sussex appeared as a guest judge on MasterChef Australia last month for an immunity challenge ahead of the semi-final. Contestants were challenged to transform a staple ingredient into a dish “fit for a duchess”.
The ingredients available included carrots, Jerusalem artichokes, Brussels sprouts, celeriac, Australian honey, macadamia nuts, quince, lemons and apples, mandarins and strawberries. Meghan appeared alongside MasterChef Australia judges Poh Ling Yeow, Sofia Levin and Jean-Christophe Novelli. But her appearance was criticised by various royal watchers, who largely said she was not the best candidate for the show.
Meghan Markle was criticised by an expert. (Image: Getty)
Now, a PR expert has weighed in on whether Meghan’s appearance was a success or not.
Australian-born Renae Smith, founder of PR and branding agency The Atticism, told the Daily Express: “My overall take? It was a silly move on a silly show, but it did no real harm.”
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Ms Smith, who previously took part in the competition herself, said that MasterChef is a credentials show, built “entirely around measurable skill” and that Meghan’s only contribution was “being famous and liking food”.
She also claimed that the duchess failed to captivate the Australian audience despite the ratings.
The expert explained: “Has she captivated the Australian audience? No, and I think we need to be careful not to confuse curiosity with conversion.
“Yes, the ratings jumped, and it was reportedly the show’s best Sunday audience in weeks, but people tuning in to see what a duchess does on MasterChef is not the same as people warming to her.
“That is not captivation, that is rubbernecking. She hasn’t won anyone over, but she hasn’t lost anyone either, because the people watching had already made up their minds long ago.”
