Gwyneth Paltrow expressed strong disapproval of the unauthorized biography written about her by Amy Odell, describing it as “boring” in a British Vogue interview published on October 15. The Oscar-winning actress and Goop founder criticized the book’s portrayal, emphasizing the absence of accuracy regarding her true impact and character.
Paltrow’s Early Reactions to the Biography
When Amy Odell’s book, Gwyneth: The Biography, was released in July, Paltrow initially refrained from commenting. However, during the interview, she openly shared her opinion using a single word. She said Amy Odell
“totally missed everything, the truth of who I am, what my impact is.”
At the time of speaking, Paltrow had not yet read the book herself but relied on feedback from her husband, Brad Falchuck.
Explaining her husband’s input, she said,
“My husband flicked through it, just because I was like: ‘What is in this?’”
Falchuck’s verdict was blunt:
“It’s as if somebody put in a prompt in ChatGPT and said: mine every Daily Mail article and write a biography about Gwyneth Paltrow.”
He added,
“It’s just bad. It’s really badly written.”
Concerns Over Media Coverage and Author’s Approach
Paltrow expressed frustration not only with the biography’s content but also with how it was reported in the media, which she found misleading. She described the claims attributed to her in the book as “all rubbish” along with
“the things that I supposedly said.”
Her disappointment stemmed partly from the minimal communication she had with Amy Odell during the biography’s creation.
Reflecting on Amy Odell’s previous work, including her biography of Anna Wintour, Paltrow drew a comparison with renowned biographer Walter Isaacson, who has authored biographies about Steve Jobs, Leonardo da Vinci, and Albert Einstein. She remarked,
“I think it’s very sexist. I was like, ‘OK, hang on a sec. Why do the men get Walter Isaacson and I get this hack?’ You know?”
The interviewer noted they shared a laugh after her comment.
On the Claim of Inventing ‘Ghosting’
Paltrow acknowledged one point from the book with a mix of surprise and humor. Amy Odell suggested that Paltrow had invented the term “ghosting,” describing the act of disappearing completely from a romantic interest without explanation. Paltrow said,
“Oh that is boss. I didn’t know that. OK, I’ll take that.”
Author’s Research and Perspectives
The biography’s synopsis states that Amy Odell drew from over 220 sources, including friends, colleagues, and individuals close to Paltrow, aiming to shed light on her personal relationships, career, and leadership of Goop. Despite these efforts, Paltrow remains unsatisfied with how the narrative represents her life and impact.
The Broader Context of Paltrow’s Public Life
Having been a public figure for decades, Paltrow’s experiences—from acting achievements to founding Goop—have been extensively documented. Still, this biography marks a contentious addition to the many accounts of her life, sparking conversations about the accuracy and respect accorded to unauthorized biographies.
As this dispute unfolds, the public will likely continue to watch how Paltrow addresses her portrayal in media and literature, bringing attention to the challenges celebrities face when their stories are told without their full cooperation.
