We Now Know Why People Don't Want To Work With Gwyneth Paltrow
Gwyneth Paltrow really has it all, or at least that's the impression carefully curated by her lifestyle brand, Goop. Not only is she an Oscar-winning star but she's also become a major voice in the contemporary world of wellness. A perusal through the site, which was founded in 2008, says that their mission is to "operate from a place of curiosity and nonjudgment, and we start hard conversations, crack open taboos, and look for connection and resonance everywhere we can find it."
While this all sounds great, terrific, wonderful, the lifestyle site advertises items that seem so impossibly unattainable for the average reader. For instance, in a recent post offering ways to look cute at home, Goop casually recommended a $2,600 Gucci jumpsuit for, we're not kidding, "a gardening session."
Clearly, it's things like this that have made people wary of Gwyneth Paltrow and honestly, we get it. While she's clearly great at creating a lifestyle brand and knows a thing or two about acting, people have mixed feelings around the Hollywood icon. Now, more than ever, it's clear to us why people don't want to work with Gwyneth Paltrow.
Is Gwyneth Paltrow really an 'elitist charlatan?'
Why exactly do people dislike Gwyneth Paltrow? Is it jealousy? She's blonde, beautiful, rich, and famous. While that could certainly be part of it, there seems to be more going on than her beauty and privilege.
Media has already picked out a few titles for Paltrow. According to Marie Claire, Paltrow has been called a "Pedlar of bulls**t pseudoscience" as well as an "elitist charlatan."
The New York Times also spoke about public reaction to Paltrow, where the author said: "I have read more than 100 takedowns of her. I read an article that began with the sentence 'I hate Gwyneth Paltrow.' I read a book that was literally called 'Is Gwyneth Paltrow Wrong About Everything?'"
The outlet also said that Paltrow was "too privileged" and that she had "everything handed to her." The outlet also quoted Martha Stewart speaking to Porter magazine in 2014, who said of Paltrow: "She just needs to be quiet. She's a movie star. If she were confident in her acting she wouldn't be trying to be Martha Stewart." Dang!
Gwyneth Paltrow recommends a $15,000 dildo
Gwyneth Paltrow knows how disliked she is and how this perception makes her seem difficult to work with. In a famous interview in 2016 with BBC HARDTalk, Paltrow spoke about the perceived privilege surrounding her. She said that her father never financially supported her: "[T]he idea that I am spoiled or that I didn't work for what I have, that's just not accurate. But I can see how somebody might have that perception."
Despite Paltrow's explanation, this sense of privilege and entitlement seems to follow her everywhere. In fact, it seems to be precisely this point of privilege that has made her so successful, in a large part because it attracts attention. Paltrow said that Goop promoted a 24-karat dildo costing $15,000 which, naturally, got people talking. But Paltrow explained that this kind of buzz is precisely what they're going for: "We have a bit of fun now and affiliate link to a $15,000 gold dildo just to troll people back." She added: "We look for products that will create that reaction," (via The Independent.)
According to The New York Times, Paltrow said of the Goop lifestyle: "It's crucial to me that we remain aspirational." She added: "Our stuff is beautiful... You can't get that at a lower price point. You can't make these things mass-market."
The New York Times added to this idea by pointing out that Goop believes that just because some people can't afford this lifestyle doesn't mean others shouldn't have it.
Gwyneth Paltrow left a man injured on a ski hill
All of these points surrounding Gwyneth Paltrow and her wellness empire are tricky. Only someone extremely wealthy would shell out $15,000 for a golden dildo. Everyone else, in the meantime, can keep aspiring for it. This promotion of luxury, excess and privilege is precisely what rubs people the wrong way when dealing with Paltrow.
This privilege isn't just limited to material objects. There was the case of a skiing accident between Paltrow and a Utah-based doctor in February 2016. According to People, Paltrow crashed into the doctor and simply got up and skied away without checking on him or staying with him as help came. In turn, the doctor tried to sue Paltrow but her rep replied, according to People: "This lawsuit is completely without merit. Anyone who reads the facts will realize that."
It could have been an accident. That's possible. However, the callousness around the ski accident could also show a larger detachment from social norms while engaging with others. If someone thinks they deserve a $2,600 Gucci jumpsuit to wear while gardening, do they also think they don't need to stay and help a fellow human who's injured? Even worse, someone who might be injured because of them?
It's tough to slap on a definitive label but the world around Paltrow screams of privilege and a deliberate effort to remain out of touch from the rest of humanity. Not exactly an easy person to work with.