Meghan Markle’s Coffee Venture Turns Bitter: A Brand’s Downfall

In a surprising twist, Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, is facing backlash from the CEO of Clever Blends, the coffee company she invested in and promoted.

Hannah Mendoza, the founder of this California-based brand, claims that Markle's involvement has led to a significant decline in sales and a tarnished reputation for the company.

Clever Blends specializes in powdered coffee blends infused with superfoods and adaptogens.

Back in December 2020, Markle expressed her enthusiasm for the brand, stating her pride in investing in a company committed to ethical sourcing.

She even leveraged her connections to showcase Clever Blends to Oprah Winfrey, who famously shared a video unboxing a gift basket containing the company's Superlattes.

However, it appears that the endorsement did not yield the expected results.

Mendoza has come forward, expressing that Markle's participation has been more detrimental than advantageous.

In an interview with the Daily Mail, she revealed that many customers felt alienated upon learning of Markle's stake in the company, viewing her involvement as hypocritical.

The fallout has been severe.

Customers have reportedly boycotted Clever Blends products, returning items in droves after discovering Markle's association.

Complaints have flooded in, leading several retailers to pull the brand from their shelves.

Activists and disgruntled customers have voiced their displeasure, linking their frustrations to Markle's controversial actions, including her explosive interview with Oprah and her ongoing feud with the royal family.

Mendoza's frustration doesn't end there.

She lamented that Markle has not been a supportive partner.

According to her, the Duchess has failed to fulfill her promises as an investor, neglecting to provide any expertise or guidance to help the brand grow.

The lack of involvement has left Mendoza feeling abandoned in her entrepreneurial journey.

Moreover, Markle's solitary contribution seems to be a rather awkward advertisement where she attempted to showcase her barista skills.

Mendoza described this effort as “cringe-worthy,” further emphasizing the lack of genuine support from the Duchess.

It gets worse for the brand; Mendoza accused Markle of disloyalty, claiming that the Duchess hasn't consistently endorsed Clever Blends.

Reports suggest that she has been seen enjoying other coffee brands, such as Starbucks, raising eyebrows about her commitment to the venture.

The consequences of this partnership have been dire.

Clever Blends has reportedly lost millions in revenue and thousands of loyal customers.

Mendoza expressed deep regret over her decision to collaborate with Markle, wishing she had never engaged with the Duchess at all.

As the controversy unfolds, public opinion remains sharply divided.

Some rally behind Mendoza, empathizing with her plight and criticizing Markle for her perceived opportunism.

Others defend the Duchess, accusing Mendoza of ingratitude and suggesting that she might be attempting to undermine Markle's new life.

Neither Meghan Markle nor Prince Harry have publicly responded to Mendoza's claims.

However, a source close to the couple dismissed the interview as a “malicious attack” and asserted that they have no ties to Mendoza or her grievances.

The source further emphasized that the Sussexes are content with their lives in California, focusing on humanitarian efforts and family matters.

With tensions running high, it remains to be seen how this saga will evolve.

Will Clever Blends be able to recover from the damage, or has Markle's involvement irreparably harmed the brand?

Only time will tell as both sides navigate the fallout from this unexpected partnership.