Spring Break
Gwyneth's goop.com spurs media frenzy
Emily Abbate
Issue date: 3/2/09 Section: Focus
If a man working in sales at a major marketing company wanted to start up his own Web page in his spare time, no one would think anything of it. The Web page he starts could be about his favorite hobby, model cars, and no one would criticize him because this side project never distracts from the time he puts in at his job, over 30 hours per week.
However, when Gwyneth Paltrow decides to put together a Web site, the media goes into a frenzy.
In September 2008, Paltrow launched goop.com, a lifestyle Web site with six different sections and a weekly newsletter. The six sections, "make," "go," "get," "do," "be" and "see," are represented by trendy icons resembling something straight out of a Pottery Barn Kids catalogue. The odd name of the site can be attributed to Paltrow's initials, which may be slightly confusing considering her middle name is Kate.
Paltrow said she decided to launch the Web site, which carries the tagline, "Nourish The Inner Aspect," "because I felt like I had a lot of really useful information that I was privileged enough to get, because I have this amazing, super, fortunate life."
A recent article from The New York Times questioned the site's relevance in light of a multitude of published critiques against its "unprofessional suggestions." Paltrow makes a number of suggestions for good hotels and restaurants on the site; as well ways to better your health by upping exercise levels and altering sleep habits.
"I think the people who are criticizing it or criticizing the idea of it, don't really get it, because if they did, they would like it," Paltrow told People Magazine last Wednesday night.
Yet as The Times noted, "many critics find the enterprise fatuous and a bit puzzling."
"I think that people like people to stay in their 'box,'" Paltrow said. "They like people to stay how they are comfortable seeing them."
The biggest question here is why exactly this specific Web site is under such scrutiny. In today's culture where every celebrity has his or her own fashion line, it is not obscure to take on a venture such as this for the star.
"Maybe it's because the public still remembers the graceful girl from a nice New York family who handled early roles in 'Emma' and 'Shakespeare in Love' with a perfect English accent, and pulled off impeccable aristocratic froideur in 'The Talented Mr. Ripley,'" writes The New York Times.
"There's nothing incendiary about it," said Paltrow. "I find it really interesting because it's a harmless newsletter that goes out each week."
"My friends call me all the time to say, 'Where should I go?' or 'What should I do?'" said Paltrow. "And I thought, you know maybe some other people would be interested in it as well, so I started it, and it's doing great."
However, when Gwyneth Paltrow decides to put together a Web site, the media goes into a frenzy.
In September 2008, Paltrow launched goop.com, a lifestyle Web site with six different sections and a weekly newsletter. The six sections, "make," "go," "get," "do," "be" and "see," are represented by trendy icons resembling something straight out of a Pottery Barn Kids catalogue. The odd name of the site can be attributed to Paltrow's initials, which may be slightly confusing considering her middle name is Kate.
Paltrow said she decided to launch the Web site, which carries the tagline, "Nourish The Inner Aspect," "because I felt like I had a lot of really useful information that I was privileged enough to get, because I have this amazing, super, fortunate life."
A recent article from The New York Times questioned the site's relevance in light of a multitude of published critiques against its "unprofessional suggestions." Paltrow makes a number of suggestions for good hotels and restaurants on the site; as well ways to better your health by upping exercise levels and altering sleep habits.
"I think the people who are criticizing it or criticizing the idea of it, don't really get it, because if they did, they would like it," Paltrow told People Magazine last Wednesday night.
Yet as The Times noted, "many critics find the enterprise fatuous and a bit puzzling."
"I think that people like people to stay in their 'box,'" Paltrow said. "They like people to stay how they are comfortable seeing them."
The biggest question here is why exactly this specific Web site is under such scrutiny. In today's culture where every celebrity has his or her own fashion line, it is not obscure to take on a venture such as this for the star.
"Maybe it's because the public still remembers the graceful girl from a nice New York family who handled early roles in 'Emma' and 'Shakespeare in Love' with a perfect English accent, and pulled off impeccable aristocratic froideur in 'The Talented Mr. Ripley,'" writes The New York Times.
"There's nothing incendiary about it," said Paltrow. "I find it really interesting because it's a harmless newsletter that goes out each week."
"My friends call me all the time to say, 'Where should I go?' or 'What should I do?'" said Paltrow. "And I thought, you know maybe some other people would be interested in it as well, so I started it, and it's doing great."
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 2
Janae
posted 3/03/09 @ 4:59 PM EST
I joined the GOOP newsletter, but have yet to recieve I am very bummed I have been exspecting it for a few weeks now. I went to the site but remains to say there is an error. (Continued…)
Evangeline
posted 4/04/09 @ 12:59 PM EST
The website is just not particularly impressive. It is the rantings and musings of a privileged girl who thinks the acquisition of wealth is equivalent to being cultured and an intellectual (a common mistake among celebrities). (Continued…)
Post a Comment