Author Amy Odell on Documenting Gwyneth Paltrow's Journey, from '90s Style Icon to Wellness Entrepreneur

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      Just three years after her well-received biography of Anna Wintour, fashion and culture journalist and New York Times best-selling author Amy Odell is back with a new project: Gwyneth: The Biography, an in-depth look at actress and Goop founder Gwyneth Paltrow. Utilizing extensive interviews and thorough archival research, Odell chronicles Paltrow’s journey from a '90s fashion icon to a contentious wellness entrepreneur, creating a complex portrait of a cultural figure who has fascinated the public for over thirty years. In this episode, Odell shares her thoughts on the influences that shaped her narrative and reflects on the one question she would pose to Paltrow if given the chance.

      In the latest episode of The Who What Wear Podcast, Who What Wear co-founder Hillary Kerr converses with Odell about her current work, sharing insights into the various voices that influenced her narrative and contemplating the question she wishes she could have asked Paltrow.

      For highlights from their discussion, continue reading below.

      Your last biography, the remarkable and personal account of Anna Wintour, was exceptional. What inspired you to focus on Gwyneth Paltrow for this project?

      Few individuals have had a significant cultural impact, and Gwyneth Paltrow—whether loved or disliked—has certainly made an impression. She has been in the public eye for three decades and has a magnetic presence that also tends to polarize opinions.

      I spoke with over 220 sources for this book, ranging from colleagues at Goop to those who worked with her in films and her friends. My goal was to uncover her true self, as many glossy magazine profiles merely skim the surface of her identity.

      What was the most surprising thing you discovered about her early life?

      I found the overall atmosphere at Spence School particularly fascinating, as it shaped her character significantly. Paltrow's early years were spent in California, where her parents had a house in Santa Monica and she attended a school filled with what one might call 'nepo babies.' Transitioning to New York and engaging with Spence's more elite crowd—including children of finance moguls, prominent lawyers, billionaires, and even a Grecian princesses—provided a starkly different experience. These were students who had even interviewed figures like Queen Elizabeth for their senior projects.

      What intrigued you the most about the Goop empire?

      What captured my attention most was how the celebrity founder can be both a valuable asset and a challenge for employees and the CEO alike. Gwyneth possesses many qualities that make her a strong leader and founder. She was among the first celebrities to question why she should promote other brands, like Estee Lauder and American Express, when she could utilize her image to create her own.

      She launched Goop in 2008, at a time when social media was in its infancy; Instagram didn't even appear until 2010. It wasn't necessarily expected for celebrities, particularly actors, to venture into social media and cultivate online followings. Gwyneth was a pioneer in committing to establish her business online, starting with a newsletter, which makes her one of the original influencers.

      Gwyneth: The Biography

      Amy Odell

      This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.