Awkward moment Martha Stewart asks if Meghan Markle's Netflix show 'has started yet' - after Duchess was accused of copying her
- Seen as the 'original influencer', Ms Stewart, 83, has been compared to Meghan
- READ MORE: Meghan Markle reveals why she didn't film her Netflix series inside her Montecito home
This is the awkward moment Martha Stewart was quizzed about Meghan Markle's Netflix show - and wasn't aware it's already out.
Ms Stewart, 83, this week appeared on Access Hollywood with José Andrés, a celebrity chef who is set to join the Duchess of Sussex in the second season of With Love, Meghan, this autumn.
Often seen as the 'original influencer', Martha was quickly compared to Meghan when her 'domestic goddess' TV series was announced - with people even saying she was 'entering her Martha Stewart era'.
But when she was asked about what she really thinks about Meghan's show on Wednesday, Ms Stewart appeared blissfully unaware - and seemingly knew nothing about it.
'I have not seen the show yet!' she confessed. 'So, has it started?'
With Love, Meghan came to Netflix in March after it was initially postponed from January due to the LA wildfires.
Ms Stewart, who was sentenced to five months in federal prison for fraud, is seen as the 'original influencer', known for her impeccable taste in cooking, gardening, and home decor.
She rose to fame following the launch of her books on cooking, entertaining and decorating before getting her own TV progamme.
Martha Stewart asked if Meghan's show 'had started' when asked about her thoughts in an interview with Access Hollywood this week
Elsewhere in the interview, which comes as the culinary experts team up for a new cooking competition with NBC, Andrés spoke about his close friendship with Meghan.
'I love Meghan. Does she put herself out there? Yes!' he said.
'I was in LA, and she was showing up in different places to feed people, not trying to take attention or anything to herself. But it was great that she was there, like many others, front and centre.'
Speaking at the Time 100 summit in New York this week, Meghan announced that Andres would be joining her for season two of her show.
In the first season, Meghan was joined by chef Alice Waters as they prepared to host brunch for her pals.
Meghan said: 'Having her on the show and also other friends as well who, we haven't revealed things about season two and that'll come through later. But I can apologize in advance for saying José Andrés is going to be on season two.
'We love José so much So I think my wishlist has been, I've been fortunate to have the people that I want on the show… I've been really lucky. We have a great, great lineup.'
Meghan and Prince Harry's Archewell Foundation has long supported Andres' World Central Kitchen, a non-profit organisation working to feed communities impacted by humanitarian crises.
When With Love, Meghan was announced in January, it immediately led people to draw comparisons with Stewart, who is seen as the 'original influencer'
Martha Stewart pictured on her show Holiday Entertaining in 1986
Matt Lauer and Martha Stewart appear on NBC News' 'Today' show
The lifestyle series featured a host of Meghan's famous friends, including Mindy Kaling (pictured right)
Despite the Duchess of Sussex being met with scathing reviews following the launch of her new lifestyle project, Andrés remains steadfast in his support
The chef, 55, publicly teamed up with the couple back in January, when they helped assist with the relief efforts and meet victims of those who had been impacted by the wildfires in Los Angeles.
Meghan's series was slammed by reviewers as 'gormless lifestyle filler' with a 'tangible desperation' following its release.
Others said it shows the Duchess is 'attempting to cling to fame by any means possible', while another described how she was 'joylessly filling kids' party bags with seeds'.
Guardian TV writer Stuart Heritage said the series was 'so pointless it might be the Sussexes' last TV show' and 'might also be the final thing she makes for Netflix'.
The Telegraph gave the show just two stars. In a review, they said the series was an 'exercise in narcissism, filled with extravagant brunches, celebrity pals and business plugs'.
Despite being mocked, the series has been renewed for a second season, with Ted Sarandos, the co-CEO of Netflix, insisting the Duchess has been 'underestimated.'
In an exclusive interview with DailyMail.com this week, conducted at the City Harvest Gala in New York City, chef Andres opened up about his admiration for the mother-of-two.
'Listen, I think the work she does is great. She is great,' Andrés said passionately.
'She could be a person that goes into her own world and forgets about the real world but - what I can only say as her friend - she's a friend, but also she's there in the fire.
Meghan's As Ever products finally launched earlier this month and rapidly sold out
'She doesn't need to be out [in the public eye] but she is there.'
Discussing Markle's As Ever brand in more depth - most notably, the jam spread that has become a hotly-contested topic - Andrés fiercely defended his pal.
'It's good. It's good. It's very good,' the famed restauranteur said, having been sent a jar directly by Markle herself.
He then addressed the fierce criticism surrounding the brand, explaining: 'I don't know why it is.
'I think we should be in the moment of celebrating anytime anybody wants to do anything.
'Can be her, can be Gwyneth Paltrow, can be me, can be Eva Longoria, can be Melania Trump.
'Let's celebrate what anybody wants to do. Just forget about criticizing others.
'Everybody should be cheering up everybody that just tries to do something.'
Prior to release of With Love, Meghan, the mother-of-two promised viewers an intimate glimpse into life 'at home with Meghan' with 'wonder in every moment'.
Therefore, it came as surprise that the lifestyle show was not filmed in the Montecito-based mansion Meghan shares with her husband Prince Harry and their two children, Archie, five, and Lilibet, three.
Instead, the 43-year-old filmed the eight-episode series in a nearby £5 million estate nestled within a gated community and owned by Montecito's influential Cipolla family.
However, the duchess yesterday explained that she made the decision to protect her children's childhood during New York's Time100 Summit with Time CEO Jessica Sibley, according to Variety.
'When people say, 'Why didn't you [film in] your house?' Well, I have kids coming home from their nap, and 80 people in the kitchen isn't really the childhood memory I'd want for them to have,' she said.
Meghan continued, 'We were really fortunate to find something close by,' adding that the decision was a form self-care.
The idyllic filming location for the series boasts eight acres of avocado trees and lemon groves.
Owners Tom and Sherrie Cipolla, fixtures in the high society circles of the American Riviera, are both in their 70s. They are prominent philanthropists with a $20million (£15million) property portfolio.
The 43-year-old was asked about the topic during yesterday's Time100 Summit in New York City
With Love, Meghan was filmed in a £5million Montecito-based mansion (pictured) owned by Tom and Sherrie Cipolla
Meghan previously touched on the confusion of why she didn't film the show inside her home in an interview with People, stating that she wanted to 'protect her safe haven'.
'We're a close-knit family, and I love those moments - putting Lili down for a nap, having lunch together, having sacred time together at the end of the day,' she continued.
The Duchess added, 'Our kitchen is where Mama just cooks for the family, and with a crew of 80-plus people, that's a lot of people to have in your house!'
Elsewhere during yesterday's Time100 Summit, Meghan revealed that her son Prince Archie is about to lose his first tooth - hours after the Princess of Wales released a birthday photo of Prince Louis featuring his 'gappy' grin.
The Duchess of Sussex, 43, took to the stage at the Time100 summit in New York City last night, where she discussed everything from her latest business ventures to how she handles hate.
During the intimate chat, the mother-of-two also opened up about her children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet.
She candidly told the audience that her eldest has a loose tooth and is 'just about' to lose it this week, adding that she hopes she's back to California in time to see it.
'What we're going to put out during our next launch is equally as important to me as Archie getting his first [big] tooth this week,' she said. 'It's about to happen, I might get back just in time for it!'
The filming location is nestled within a gated community and has eight acres of avocado trees and lemon groves
Her comments came just hours after Kate released a photo of Prince Louis to celebrate his seventh birthday - notably featuring his adorable toothless smile.
The young Prince showed off his adorable gap-toothed smile, with royal fans rushing to social media to gush about how 'grown up' he looked.
Archie was just eight months old when his parents announced their plans to step back as senior royals in 2020, and subsequently moved to the US.
There, he and his sister Lilibet have grown up outside the public eye - and without contact with their cousins George, Charlotte and Louis back in the UK.
Meghan shared the exciting news while discussing how she balances being a mother and running her business.
She explained that not missing out on small moments with her kids was 'equally as important' as her job.
She added, 'Something that is seemingly so big somehow becomes so microscopic in importance compared to what's happening with my children.'
Earlier this month, Meghan finally launched her lifestyle products, inspired by the meals and decorations she prepared in the series.
Questions were raised after Meghan's products rapidly sold out within half an hour - but her famous pals all managed to snap up stock.
The mother-of-two gave viewers insight into her favourite recipes and lifestyle tips in the series
As well as Mindy, Jennifer Walsh - who appeared in episode six of Meghan's Netflix show - gushed on her Instagram story: 'I'm in love with everything - especially the flower sprinkles that I don't know how I ever lived without!'
Tracy Robbins, who was in episodes six and eight, posted a screenshot of her order, containing shortbread mix and raspberry spread.
And Meghan's close friend Jamie Kern Lima cheerfully said 'I barely got an order placed in time' - while Kris Jenner seems to have been gifted a freebie.
Among the products included in the limited-edition drop were wildflower honey with honeycomb priced at $28 (£21.60) and some flower sprinkles at $15 (£11.60), while a jar of raspberry jam set punters back $14 (£10.80).
Other goods in the Duchess's lifestyle range included shortbread and crepe mixes - both being sold for $14 - and various herbal tea mixes for $12 (£9.30) each.
The Telegraph quoted what they called a well-placed source as saying the items had been made available in small quantities and quickly marked as sold out to generate interest, which is 'a common marketing ploy'.
In a post on social media, Meghan wrote: 'We're live! Come shop the As ever collection I've poured so much love into. So excited to share this with you', before adding 'limited quantities for each seasonal drop'.
Launching the range, Meghan told her followers in a newsletter that it's a 'love language' rather than a brand.
In a gushing message to her followers, she wrote: 'If you've been receiving these newsletters, you've been reading my musings about this brand and why it means so much to me - why it's person, why it brings me joy, and how I hope that it becomes both personal and joyful for you too.
'You're now familiar with the line-up of products, and as of today you can order them for yourself to experience at home. I can't wait to hear what you think!
'Welcome to As Ever...this is just the beginning!'
