Gwyneth Paltrow Weighs In on Meghan Markle’s Lifestyle Venture, Reflects on Brad Pitt Romance

Gwyneth Paltrow, the Academy Award-winning actress and founder of the lifestyle brand Goop, has offered her perspective on Meghan Markle’s recent foray into the world of lifestyle content creation. In a wide-ranging interview with Vanity Fair for their April cover story, Paltrow addressed her proximity to Markle, her views on the Duchess’s ventures, and even revisited her high-profile relationship with Brad Pitt.

Paltrow confirmed that she, Markle, and Prince Harry are neighbors, residing in the same exclusive community. However, she clarified that their connection is not deeply personal. "I don’t know Meghan and Harry," Paltrow stated. "I mean, I’ve met Meghan, who seems really lovely, but I don’t know her at all." With a touch of humor, she added, "Maybe I’ll try to get through their security detail and bring them a pie."

Despite not being closely acquainted with Markle, Paltrow expressed her support for the Duchess’s endeavors. She admitted she had not yet viewed the trailer for Markle’s Netflix series, "With Love, Meghan," nor was she fully familiar with Markle’s "As Ever" lifestyle brand. Nevertheless, she emphasized her inclination to defend women who face public criticism.

"When there’s noise about certain women in the culture, I do have, always, a strong instinct to stand up for them," Paltrow asserted. "I was raised to see other women as friends, not foes. I think there’s always more than enough to go around. Everybody deserves an attempt at everything that they want to try."

Paltrow’s remarks come at a time when Markle’s foray into the lifestyle space has drawn comparisons to other prominent figures, including Paltrow herself and Martha Stewart. Stewart famously commented in 2014 that Paltrow’s lifestyle pursuits were a reflection of insecurity about her acting career, stating, "She’s a movie star. If she were confident in her acting, she wouldn’t be trying to be Martha Stewart."

In the Vanity Fair interview, Paltrow brushed off such criticisms, drawing a contrast with Oprah Winfrey’s supportive approach. "And then you have someone like Oprah that’s like, ‘Of course I’ll be your first podcast guest.’ That’s how I try to be with other women," Paltrow explained.

Beyond discussing Markle, Paltrow also reflected on her past relationship with Brad Pitt, drawing a royal comparison to illustrate its enduring impact. "It’s like having dated, I don’t know, Prince William or something. That’s always going to come up," she remarked, acknowledging that their names are likely to remain linked indefinitely. She described Pitt as "a very intriguing character."

Paltrow and Pitt’s relationship began in 1994 on the set of the film "Se7en." They dated for several years and became engaged before ultimately calling off the relationship in 1997. Despite the breakup, the two have maintained a friendship, as revealed in a 2022 interview for Paltrow’s website, Goop.

During that conversation, Pitt told Paltrow, "It’s lovely to have you as a friend now," to which Paltrow agreed. Pitt further expressed his affection, saying, "And I do love you," prompting Paltrow to reciprocate, "I love you so much." They reminisced about Paltrow’s late father, who was reportedly enthusiastic about the prospect of Pitt becoming his son-in-law.

"Oh man, everything works out, doesn’t it?" Pitt remarked. Paltrow responded, "Yes, it does. I finally found the Brad I was supposed to marry. It just took me 20 years," referencing her current husband, Brad Falchuk.

Paltrow emphasized her forward-looking perspective, stating, "I really embrace the roads that I take. I almost never go back and noodle about choices." This sentiment underscores her ability to move on from past relationships and experiences, focusing on the present and future.

Her comments on Markle, Pitt, and her own career trajectory provide a glimpse into Paltrow’s approach to navigating the complexities of fame, business, and personal relationships. She projects an image of a woman who is both supportive of other women and confident in her own choices, regardless of public opinion.

While Markle navigates the challenges of building a lifestyle brand under intense scrutiny, Paltrow’s words offer a message of encouragement and solidarity, highlighting the importance of supporting women in pursuing their ambitions, regardless of external criticism.