Gwyneth Bashing!

Am I missing something? Is Gwyneth Paltrow hated in international circles? The other day I commented on a fun post over at Habitually Chic. She usually blogs about fabulous design but this time posted a video of an upcoming PBS special called "Spain...On the Road Again" that will be airing this September. It's a travel and food show with world renowned Chef Mario Batali, food writer Mark Bittman, Spanish actress Claudia Bassols & Gwyneth - basically one big road trip around Spain, eating and drinking their way across the country. My immediate reaction..."D*mn, that looks like fun. I wanna go too!" Admittedly, I did comment that Gwyneth would probably survive the whole adventure without gaining an ounce, but I had my backside in mind more than hers. What took me by surprise though, were the comments from our fellow bloggers:

Anonymous: I loathe that woman but, yes, she does actually speak quite decent Spanish. Which of course makes me hate her even more!

Tracy: She is insufferable. Anyone who refers to non-celebs as "pedestrians" should be shot.

CHG: Yes there is something she cannot do....ACT.

Anonymous: Gwyneth Paltrow seems like every rich, pretty, popular, private- school girl I grew up with. They annoyed me then, and annoy me now.

Then I (Marie Louise) said: All this Gwyneth bashing! I actually think she is fabulous. She is an unconventional beauty who has made it in an industry without getting a boob job and keeps her private family life private. She is a strong, successful woman and personally I admire her.

anikasophia: The Gwyenth bashing is legitimate; there are right ways and wrong ways to 'be' an expat, and she ain't got it - a total snob. When I think of the brilliant Americans through the years who are lucky enough to live across the continent, I do not think of this little brat. I love most PBS programing, but I will most likely avoid watching this show because of her.

CHG: Marie Louise, "a strong successful women"?? No dear, Angelina Jolie is a strong successful woman. her range as an actress is infinitely better. She's active on behalf of children's causes and has waived most royalties and has them donated to worthy charities, has a career, children and is outspoken on issues about women and a number of other serious matters that plague our world today. If you are a movie goer I would be astounded if you think she deserved an Oscar for her performance instead of Cate Blanchette. That was a sham. Her performance in every film is exactly the same. Sharon Stone once said "Miss Paltrow breathes more rarified air than the rest of us". I know you must be a sweet prson Marie Louise, just misguided. :-)

Is it me? Or are there some angry people out there carrying around some left-over high school baggage? Like Gwyneth, I too was (once) married to a Brit and living in England. Was I also the "wrong" kind of "ex-pat"? Am I truly "misguided"?

Gwyneth & her mother, actress Blythe Danner

With her children, Apple & Moses