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

22 comments:

Camille said...

I don't follow the celebs that much, but I see others do and have a lot to say! Interesting.

Would you like to be the third in the Pay it Forward? My third is extremely busy and I don't want to impose. Please let me know and send me your mailing address if you want to join the fun.

Unknown said...

I happen to love Gwynneth....I recently saw her in Emma and thought she was adorable in that role. The trip through Spain with Mario does sound really fun!!

annie

Anonymous said...

I like Gwyneth, don't listen to the haters. Perhaps they are really just jealous, she has lived a life of privilege, doesn't mean she is automatically a bad apple deserving of scorn(pardon the pun!)

I can't really vouch for her acting as I have only seen a few of her movies. I would almost consider her more of an "almost native" of the UK however, she did go to school there I believe.

Hill Country House Girl said...

Marie Louise - Thank you for your visit to hill country house. I can already tell I am going to love your blog! I cannot wait to study the post on the architectural gem for sale.....it looks fabulous.

I like your attitude, too. Sometimes I am amazed at the anger and crankiness out there. Let me know when you make your magazine cover - what fun!

Kathy said...

Life is to short to "hate" celebs, US or UK,anywhere for that matter. My first thought was the same as your reaction, "that sounds like a lot of fun". That photo of Gwyneth and Blythe is amazing.

I have just been in NYC and there was a huge poster right in the middle of Times Square of a lady in a red mac and it reminded me of your photo. Kathy.

Robin said...

I'm with you, I think she's fabulous and commend her for living her private life out of the public eye (even with a famous husband - that can't be easy). Unlike Angelina & co who never seem to be out of the news. And I give Gwyneth props for not taking herself too seriously and for doing crazy funny movies like "View From The Top".

heidi said...

I think she's gorgeous... ethereal in fact. She's a pretty good actress, and she seems to take a huge part in the raising her kids, which is rare in her field. I've got no beef with her.

muralimanohar said...

Wow, I had no idea that that hate was out there! I've never heard of it over here in Australia..I like her, and have never heard any reason to change that.

Gill - That British Woman said...

some people just have nothing good to say about anyone.................

Gill

Fifi Flowers said...

WOW... I've never heard anything bad about her until now. She seems pretty down to earth to moi... but I don't know her personally as I assume the people who commented to you and on the post probably don't know her either.

Also... This is quite interesting to me... I make a lot of comments on blogs all over and I never check the box to receive follow up emails... I might be missing out.

Marie Louise said...

Thank you for the response ladies. I'm sure Gwyneth would thank you too but I am sure she is living her life and doesn't give a %&#$ what anyone thinks - which is how it should be!

SandraRee said...

Meow! I believe you're right Marie Louise, those were totally uncalled for comments that you experienced at Habitually Chic's blog.

I've always loved Gwyneth and her acting. I would hate to think that other women are jealous of women that seem to have it all in their lives. We all should be cheerleaders for each other. I have always lived my life like that, cheering other females on.

I definitely like your attitude on this! :)

Anonymous said...

Wow? I can't believe it. I am not a huge fan of hers, but personally I have no reason to think poorly of her. I mean, jeez...what has she done wrong? I am really surprised that she could generate so many critical comments. I think of her as more reserved and less "hollywood" than many and my only gripe is that she stays thin! ;)

Anonymous said...

I love Blythe so much that I am entirely pre-disposed to love Gwyneth. Remember that ruckus when she was pregnant with Apple and had a Guinness in public? Ridiculous. (

I have now fully outed myself as gossip addicted, haven't I?)

Anonymous said...

wowza, you've got some angry readers! she's always been one of my favorites, and that annie leibowitz picture of her and her mom is stunning.

Sabina said...

I love Gwyneth and her mother Blythe - I think they are wonderful actors and just beautiful women!!

Mrs.French said...

whoa....I just stopped by the post and I feel like I just took a trip back to high school. Nasty, nasty, nasty...good for you for sticking up for her. I can't imagine tossing around so much hate unless they know her personally and she slept with their husbands or ran over their family pets.

High Desert Diva said...

I'd say it is all jealousy...evil, isn't it?

I love the photo of Gwyneth and Blythe...

Laura @ the shorehouse. said...

Wowza! I have to say I find her kind of charming and the fact her exploits (of lack there of) are not always "in my face" makes me think that she's got her act together. But I'm sure I'm just "misguided." ;-)

DeniseinVA said...

An interesting post, I for one don't know enough about the lady other than to wish her well. I don't follow celebrities lives too much but will say that the ones I admire the most, and I think this applies to not just celebrities, are those who keep their feet on the ground, and don't get jaded by their chosen profession. Celebrities who use their stardom to genuinely help others in need are also okay in my book.

StaroftheEast said...

I don't understand how people can actually hate someone they don't know! I mean she is pretty, smart, and can act (oscar winner), so she must be a good reason to get jealous, but to hate?? I loved all the movies she has act in, I don't know what kind of person she is, but I do love how she keeps her work and private life seperate.
Some people really should get a life of their own, if you ask me.

katiedid said...

Hi Marie Louise!
I'm with you. I have seen quite alot of Gwyneth bashing, especially when her house was shown awhile back. The irony is that the people who spew out this stuff are the ones who make themselves look like the mean girls in high school: bitter, envious and small. Gwyneth seems private and low key. Perhaps this is too "boring" for some. I can see why she moved away from this kind of scrutiny.

"It's never too late to be who you might have been." --George Eliot