Gwyneth Paltrow has raised eyebrows following a conversation about wealth inequality on her luxury wellness podcast.
Speaking to business journalist Kara Swisher on The Goop Podcast, the 53-year-old actress called out ‘super rich white guys’ in Silicon Valley during a discussion about America’s tech overlords, like Mark Zuckerberg.
‘How did we get here as a culture?’ Paltrow asked Swisher.
‘Obviously there’s so much revenue and profit driving this whole thing, that’s at the heart of it,’ she continued.
‘But how do you think we got to this place in culture where nothing matters and now all that matters is kind of these super rich white dudes who are breaking rules, setting rules, seemingly not caring so much about the downstream impact on everything, from health to culture.’
Swisher responded, ‘I think we have an idolatry of innovators, an idolatry of wealth, and if you’re wealthy, you must be smarter – when they got all manner of shortcuts.
Gwyneth Paltrow has raised eyebrows following a conversation about American meritocracy, oligarchy, and wealth inequality on her luxury wellness podcast
‘And the innovations that they took advantage of were paid for by the American public, by the way.’
She added, ‘Why does a small, homogeneous group of people get to decide for the rest of us?’
Seemingly agreeing with Swisher’s point, Gwyneth pondered the myth of American meritocracy.
‘I feel like there’s something so endemic to being an American about this idea that anybody can do it from whatever socioeconomic background,’ she said.
‘But we put this hierarchy… it’s like we’re so hungry for a hierarchy to make sense of our lives or something like that. And we imbue these guys with this extraordinary, I don’t know, God-like…’ she continued, before being cut off by Swisher.
Paltrow’s remarks ruffled some feathers among her followers, with some questioning whether the wealthy actress-turned-entrepreneur was the right person to call out the US oligarchy.
Not only does the Goop founder have an estimated net worth of around $200 million, she is also the daughter of Emmy-winning actress Blythe Danner and Hollywood producer Bruce Paltrow.
‘Super rich white dudes? Coming from Paltrow that is kinda funny,’ commented one.
Speaking to journalist Kara Swisher on The Goop Podcast , the 53-year-old actress called out ‘super rich white guys’ in Silicon Valley during a discussion about America’s tech overlords
A number of people slammed the star for critiquing a system that she is perceived by some to be part of
‘I can appreciate the question and putting thought toward this, but also your brand is based on luxury and excessive wealth,’ added another.
‘Super white rich dudes?! What does Goop charge for makeup?’ asked a third, while another called out Paltrow for being ‘excessively wealthy’.
‘You are not so far from them, girl!’ commented another.
However, many of Paltrow’s fans also came to her defence and praised the A-lister for highlighting such an important topic.
‘People hating on Gwyneth for calling this out are missing the point, which is that someone like her (rich and wealthy) is where it needs to come from to be heard by us poors to see and realize they aren’t special, just privileged. How could anyone disagree based on her status alone for bringing it up?’ asked one.
‘I’m glad you are talking about this. You have sway because people admire you. Please keep doing this!’ added another.
‘Our culture is obsessed with (other’s) wealth and power even if it costs us personally. Keep having these convos,’ wrote a third.
Back in March, Paltrow admitted that she was one of Hollywood’s ‘original nepo babies’.
However, she insisted that her famous family didn’t guarantee her a pathway to fame and fortune.
Paltrow, who calls herself ‘one of the original nepo babies’, is pictured with her actress mother Blythe Danner and Hollywood producer dad Bruce Paltrow
‘I was extraordinarily lucky to be given opportunities early on, probably partly because I’m one of the original nepo babies, but I would be lying if I said that that made my path clear,’ she told People magazine.
‘There were many moments when the industry made it very plain that women are expected to stay in their lane and to be graceful and quiet and above all to be one thing,’ she continued.
‘And I’ve never been very good at being one thing.’
While she still acts occasionally, these days Paltrow’s primary focus is running her Goop empire.
The luxury brand started as a newsletter in 2008 and has since expanded into products, fashion, a print magazine, a podcast, and a Netflix docuseries.
