In her latest GOOP newsletter, Gwyneth Paltrow talks about why the media spins stories negatively and mentions a “frenemy,” most likely referring to her former best friend, actress Winona Ryder. (Their friendship reportedly ended when Gwyn reportedly stole the part of Shakespeare in Love from Winona but Winona was never considered for the role.)
Gwyn writes, “Back in the day, I had a ‘frenemy’ who, as it turned out, was pretty hell-bent on taking me down. This person really did what they could to hurt me. I was deeply upset, I was angry, I was all of those things you feel when you find out that someone you thought you liked was venomous and dangerous. I restrained myself from fighting back. I tried to take the high road. But one day I heard that something unfortunate and humiliating had happened to this person. And my reaction was deep relief and…happiness. There went the high road. So, why does it feel so good to hear something bad about someone you don’t like? Or someone you DO like? Or someone you don’t KNOW? I once asked the editor of a tabloid newspaper why all of the stories about a famous British couple had a negative bent. He said that when the headline was positive, the paper didn’t sell. Why is that? What’s wrong with us? I asked the sages to shed a little light. Here’s to washing our mouths out with soap… Love, Gwyneth.” Check out the rest of the Q&A at GOOP.com.
The “unfortunate and humiliating” incident Gwyn mentioned is likely referring to Winona’s 2001 shoplifting incident, where she stole $5K worth of designer clothes and accessories at a Saks Fifth Avenue department store.
Pictured below: Gwyneth and Winona holding hands and locking arms (1998-1999).
