Despite her efforts to make a name for herself in Hollywood, Meghan Markle’s recent struggles with her reality show, With Love, Meghan, and her lifestyle brand, As Ever, have been met with mixed reviews. Now, a new family drama threatens to overshadow her career aspirations.

According to branding expert Doug Eldridge, the public fallout between Meghan and her family member, believed to be her father, will only serve to intensify the polarization surrounding the former royal couple. “When there is a public breakup of a beloved family, like Harry and the Windsors, it creates a polarizing vacuum,” Eldridge explained. “On top of that, when someone is seen as the negative variable, as Meghan was either credited or blamed, depending on your perspective, it intensifies that polarization to near-acerbic levels.”

Despite the turmoil with her family, Meghan has chosen to keep them at arm’s length, a decision that Eldridge believes could have lasting implications on her brand. “Meghan has kept her family at arm’s length. Sadly, changing that at this point would alter the entire narrative she worked to build and, with it, deepen the cracks in an already shaky brand foundation she’s trying to fortify,” he added.

As Meghan navigates the challenges of her personal life and career, it remains to be seen how she will handle the latest family drama while continuing to pursue her Hollywood ambitions. Only time will tell if she can overcome these obstacles and solidify her place in the entertainment industry.