Meghan Markle's two-word explanation for cancelling January Netflix launch
After terrifying wildfires devastated Meghan, Duchess of Sussex's hometown of LA, she postponed the release of her new Netflix show, with an insider saying she 'couldn't imagine' going forward as planned
by Emma Mackenzie · The MirrorWhen the trailer for Meghan, Duchess of Sussex's new Netflix show landed, her fans were thrilled to get a glimpse of the hotly anticipated lifestyle series.
With Love, Meghan was initially primed to drop on 15 January, but after terrifying wildfires ravaged the Duchess' hometown of LA - where she was born and raised - she requested the streaming giant postpone the planned release.
Meghan and Harry were quick to help out in whatever way they could - and were spotted volunteering at a food bank that was set up to help those affected by the devastating fires, which have tragically claimed at least 25 lives. The couple are also reported to have opened up their home in Montecito to friends who were forced to evacuate because of the fires.
Some insight into Meghan's decision to delay the release of her new show was given by insiders to People magazine, who said the Duchess "could not imagine" going forward with the series focussed on homemaking, gardening, and hosting in light of the current situation.
Thousands of people have lost their homes and everything inside them in their fires, and the insider explained, making it an "easy" decision to postpone the new series - which will see celeb pals "old and new" come together with Meghan to provide tips to the audience on how to elevate the every day into the extraordinary.
"Delaying the release of With Love, Meghan was likely an easy decision for her. I don't think she could imagine putting out a show centered on joy and hosting when so many people in her home state no longer have homes to host people in," the industry source explained. "I think it's sad that critics are saying she's only doing this to avoid the fires overshadowing her show. We're all human, and we’re dealing with a catastrophe."
Meghan isn't the only A-lister to press pause on a project in light of the tragedy - music icon Beyonce, 43, postponed a long-planned announcement that was due on 14 January, and was teased in her Christmas Day NFL halftime show, dubbed 'Beyonce Bowl'.
Many of Beyonce's fans were eagerly awaiting the announcement, which some speculated may have been a new tour, but the global superstar instead released a sombre statement explaining why she didn't think it was appropriate to go forward with the announcement given the "devastation".
"The January 14th announcement will be postponed to a later date due to the devastation caused by the ongoing wildfires around areas of Los Angeles. I continue to pray for healing and rebuilding for the families suffering from trauma and loss," the singer explained in a statement on her Instagram on 13 January, adding: "We are so blessed to have brave first responders who continue to work tirelessly to protect the Los Angeles community. To join our efforts in supporting those impacted, please visit @beygood. Love, B."
The release of Meghan's show has been pushed back to 4 March, so her fans will have to wait a little longer to see the Duchess return to her lifestyle roots. For many years, Meghan ran a successful lifestyle blog called The Tig, which covered everything from travel to health and wellness, but was closed down when her relationship with Harry became more serious.
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