How Melania Trump Could ‘Rival and Swamp’ Meghan Markle
First Lady Melania Trump is gearing up for the release of her documentary set to hit theaters on Jan. 30. Because her husband, President Donald Trump, is such a polarizing figure, no one is sure how the FLOTUS’ film will do.
There have been recent reports that on top of the $40 million for distribution rights of the doc titled, Melania, Amazon MGM Studios is putting an additional $35 million into an advertising budget for the movie. And now there are rumors that the first lady may be laying the groundwork for a major business move later in the year.
Here’s what an expert is saying about the way Mrs. Trump could directly rival — and even eclipse — Prince Harry’s wife, Meghan Markle.
The market Melania could be preparing to step into
Kayley Cornelius is a PR expert and celebrity commentator who has been featured in the Daily Mail, the BBC, the New York Post, and more.
Speaking on behalf of Action Network, Cornelius told Showbiz Cheat Sheet: “Melania’s new movie project likely indicates that there is far more to come from her. These kinds of ventures are rarely standalone — they usually signal the beginning of a wider personal brand expansion.
“No one understands business quite like the Trumps, and Melania has quietly built a dedicated audience of her own. If she were to launch a lifestyle brand, it would almost certainly be a sell-out, driven by both curiosity and strong brand loyalty.”
Cornelius added, “She could very easily tap into the same luxury lifestyle space as Meghan Markle, but with a sharper, more refined edge. From high fashion to stationery and everyday products with a premium feel, Melania’s brand would lend itself perfectly to curated elegance rather than trend-driven storytelling.
“If positioned correctly, a Melania Trump lifestyle brand wouldn’t just compete with Meghan’s As Ever — it could rival it and potentially swamp it. The appetite for aspirational luxury is there, and Melania has the mystique and global recognition to capitalize on it.”
Melania could also follow in Meghan’s footsteps with a major deal
Cornelius also believes that following the release of her film, Melania will be ready to sign a deal with a streaming platform like Meghan and Harry.
“A Netflix deal would also be a natural extension of that strategy. With her name recognition and growing independent profile, streaming platforms would likely see strong commercial value in backing her next chapter,” the PR expert opined.
The Sussexes inked a five-year deal with Netflix worth an estimated $100 million back in 2020. The pair delivered one successful program with their documentary Harry & Meghan about their lives as senior royals and leaving the Firm. However, their docs, Live to Lead and Heart of Invictus, were both flops. That was the case with Prince Harry’s series Polo as well and Season 1 and 2 of the duchess’ lifestyle show With Love, Meghan and her holiday special.
