Meghan Markle’s controversial guest judge role on MasterChef Australia was heavily criticized by viewers after an extended preview of the episode aired. The Duchess of Sussex, 44, filmed the episode while touring Australia with Prince Harry in April. The subsequent video sparked widespread ridicule from online critics, who deemed her performance “awkward” and inauthentic.
Meghan Markle’s appearance as a guest judge on MasterChef Australia has sparked criticism online, with viewers having mixed reactions to her return to the TV show. Image source (Instagram)
Critics respond to Meghan Markle footage
Markle’s performance was harshly judged by viewers and critics after the film was released on social media platforms. Commenters highlighted what they saw as her inauthenticity and discomfort in front of the camera.One critic wrote: “She is so embarrassing. Every facial expression is so embarrassing and unbearable.”
A social media user criticized Meghan Markle’s performance on MasterChef Australia, calling her behavior on screen “awkward” and “embarrassing”. Image source (Instagram)
Another viewer added, “Not even a shred of authenticity detected.”
Another viewer claimed Meghan Markle’s guest judging appearance lacked authenticity, saying they couldn’t detect “a shred of authenticity”. Image source (reddit)
A third commenter questioned the consistency between Markle’s stated values and her public persona, asking: “A sense of humor? A love of words? Nurturance? When have these things ever been associated with Meghan?”
One commenter questioned whether Meghan Markle’s words about humor, nurturing and connection were consistent with her public persona. Image source (reddit)
Other criticism focused on what she saw as her efforts to appear relatable. “Hypocritical, smug, sycophantic, trying to look bad and be relatable,” one user criticized, summarizing the broader sentiment among the audience that her appearance as a guest judge was unconvincing and inconsistent with her established public persona.
Online reaction to the episode continues after one online critic described Meghan Markle’s guest judgeship as “phony” and “trying hard to be relatable.” Image source (reddit)
Meghan Markle’s role in cooking show
The outlet reports that the cooking competition show has released the first substantial footage of the former actress in her guest judge role, showing her interactions with contestants and confessional remarks during the taping.
Meghan Markle’s advice to contestants
During her appearance, Markle gave competing home cooks guidance on managing stress in the kitchen. “The kitchen is stressful and I don’t like cooking like that. I like to cook in a very relaxed way. So all I can say to the contestants is remember to have fun, keep a sense of humor and cook with heart,” she said, wearing a black shirt and her dark hair long and curly.
In a guest appearance, Meghan Markle described cooking as her “love language” and said preparing meals is her way of showing she cares about her family and friends. Image source (Instagram)
Edible flowers and iconic items
The episode was reminiscent of Markle’s previous Lifetime TV series, with producers highlighting what they said were her “signature items” in the pantry that she provided to contestants. Markle expressed enthusiasm when she saw the fresh edible flowers. “Edible flowers. Love that!” she noted, noting the similarity to the dried flower petals she added to nearly all of her dishes in her early television work.The voiceover in this clip reinforces her connection to past television appearances. “Smart contestants might include them, as Meghan often does on her show,” the narrator said, as a clip from her previous series flashed on the screen, showing Markle scattering dried flower petals on a variety of foods, including a fruit platter arranged in a decorative pattern.
Meghan Markle’s ‘Love Languages’ Review
In another confessional segment, Markle adopted a rhetorical pattern that observers considered familiar from her previous work. “Food and cooking is really a love language for me. I think it’s a great way to connect. It’s something that can feel sentimental and meaningful, and it’s also my way of expressing nurturing feelings to friends, family and children,” she said, using terminology consistent with language she’s used in earlier collections.The mixed reviews for her appearance on “MasterChef Australia” reflect the continued focus on Markle’s television and media career since she transitioned from acting to public-facing work in the royal family and beyond.
