Pamela Anderson breaks silence on Meghan Markle’s ‘rip off’ Netflix cooking show

Pamela Anderson has finally addressed viral claims that Meghan Markle copied her cooking show concept for her new Netflix series, With Love, Meghan.

Fans of the Baywatch star, 58, were quick to point out the striking similarities between Anderson’s Cooking With Love — which debuted earlier this year on Prime Video — and Markle’s latest lifestyle venture, which premiered in March on Netflix as part of the Sussexes’ $100 million deal.

Pamela Weighs In: “I Didn’t Invent Cooking Shows”

Appearing on Watch What Happens Live! on Sunday night, Anderson was joined by her co-star and new love interest, Liam Neeson. Host Andy Cohen didn’t shy away from the drama, asking:

“On a scale from 1 to 10, how much of a rip-off did you feel With Love, Meghan was of your show Cooking With Love?”

Anderson calmly responded:

“One. I didn’t really look. I mean, I didn’t invent cooking shows.”
She added that Meghan “is just doing her thing.”

The Similarities Are Hard to Ignore

Despite Anderson’s gracious response, fans haven’t been so forgiving. Viewers were quick to highlight that both shows feature:
• Brightly lit, country-style kitchens
• Celebrity guests and photogenic friends
• Stars giggling and high-fiving in choreographed moments
• Nearly identical straw hats
• Wicker baskets filled with home-grown produce
• A feel-good, aspirational lifestyle message
• Eight-episode formats

“So similar it’s freaky,” wrote one reviewer. Others labeled Meghan’s version “inauthentic” and “copycat.”

Still, some observers were more charitable, suggesting that the resemblance could be chalked up to coincidence — since both shows follow a familiar wholesome cooking show formula.

The Timeline Tells Another Story

There’s also the issue of timing.

While Meghan Markle reportedly filmed her show last summer — with its trailer premiering in January — Anderson’s series was commissioned back in February 2023 by Canadian network Flavour Network. Its trailer has been publicly available since October 2024.

Meanwhile, Markle made headlines by sharing some of her favorite lifestyle tips with People magazine to promote With Love, Meghan. She even discussed “elevating” takeaway meals like Chinese food by plating them beautifully — a tip that some fans found oddly familiar.

Markle also touched on her struggles with trademark issues, having pivoted from her original brand name American Riviera Orchard to the new trademark As Ever.

“It’s a learning curve,” Meghan said.
“I appreciate everyone who gave me the grace to make mistakes and figure it out — and also be forgiving with myself through that.”

Netflix Backlash and Ratings Trouble

Unfortunately for Markle, With Love, Meghan hasn’t delivered the ratings Netflix hoped for.

Despite its polished aesthetic and celebrity charm, the series reportedly failed to crack Netflix’s top 300 in the first half of 2025. Shockingly, multiple older seasons of Suits — the show that launched Meghan’s acting career — outperformed her new series.

Insiders now claim that Netflix will not be renewing their $100 million deal with Meghan and Prince Harry after two underwhelming show releases. Hopes for a new contract appear to be “dead.”

Still, Meghan announced a second season of With Love, Meghan as the first season dropped in March — though whether it sees the light of day remains to be seen.

Final Thoughts: Inspiration or Imitation?

Whether With Love, Meghan is a clever reinvention or an accidental copy, Pamela Anderson seems unfazed. While fans continue to argue over who wore the straw hat first, Anderson remains calm — perhaps too seasoned to be rattled by a little lifestyle-show drama.