MEGA
Gwyneth Paltrow is facing backlash after comments she made about Silicon Valley executives didn’t land the way she may have expected.
The Goop founder appeared on The Goop Podcast on Tuesday, May 5, in an episode titled “The State of Silicon Valley” featuring tech journalist Kara Swisher.
During the conversation, Paltrow reflected on the culture surrounding Silicon Valley and its most powerful figures, questioning what she sees as a broader societal shift.
Per Page Six, she asked, “How did we get here as a culture? Obviously, there’s so much revenue and profit driving this whole thing. That’s at the heart of it.”
She continued, per a clip shared on Instagram: “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.”
“They don’t think they’re responsible for the dead,” Swisher replied. “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 and the innovations that they took advantage of were paid by the American public, by the way.”
FZUMAPRESS.com / MEGA
Swisher continued: “The Internet was invented by the United States government, not them. It’s great to be innovative and make these things, and this rocket stuff. I’m so impressed by what Space-x is doing. We can argue about the valuation of it but it’s still astonishing. And at the same time, why does a small homogenous group of people get to decide for the rest of us?”
But it was Paltrow’s phrasing — specifically “super rich white dudes” — that sparked a wave of reactions online, with many critics arguing the comments rang hollow coming from the Goop founder herself.
The backlash quickly shifted the focus away from Silicon Valley executives and onto Paltrow’s own lifestyle and brand.
“I can appreciate the question and putting thought toward this, but also your brand is based on luxury and excessive wealth,” one Instagram user commented.
“Your net worth is 200 million….,” another offered, tagging Paltrow.
“Super rich white dudes? Coming from Paltrow that is kinda funny,” a third wrote.
“Girl ur literally also rich,” another called out the Goop founder.
One person questioned, “Super white rich dudes?! What does goop charge for makeup?!”
Lisa OConnor/ AFF-USA.COM / MEGA
“Gwyneth you are these people. Raised wealthy. Married wealthy,” another said.
“This is quite ironic when both of these people are surrounded with wealth,” another said. “Gwen, your brand is crazy expensive. What?”
It does not appear that Paltrow has responded to the backlash.