Gwyneth Paltrow Finally Addresses Rumors Of 'Toxic Culture' At Goop: 'That Bothers Me'

By Fiyin Olowokandi on October 16, 2025 at 5:30 PM EDT

Gwyneth Paltrow
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After years of building her lifestyle brand Goop, Gwyneth Paltrow is doing her best to protect the company’s reputation amid rumors threatening to tarnish it. 

The “Glee” star founded Goop in 2008, and over the years, the brand has sparked its fair share of controversies. From its viral vagina-scented candle to debates over its pricey products, and most recently, claims of a "toxic culture" sparked by Amy Odell's unauthorized biography of Paltrow.

However, Paltrow has responded to the negative workplace accusations, acknowledging some past mistakes she let happen that contributed to the speculation. 

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Gwyneth Paltrow Breaks Silence on Goop Rumors, Defends Company Culture

Gwyneth Paltrow
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The “Emma” actress confronted the claims head-on in a recent interview, admitting she was unsettled about them. “That bothers me. 'Oh, Goop has a toxic culture.' That drives me insane because we have never had that,” Paltrow told Vogue UK.

While denying the existence of an unhealthy work environment, Paltrow acknowledged that there had been a few “toxic” employees in the past. She admitted her fear of confronting those situations quickly may have had a ripple effect on others, something she takes responsibility for.

However, she emphasized that her company boasts of a positive space. “But we are such a good culture. We are,” she stressed. “It’s something that I am so proud of and worked so hard on.”

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The 53-year-old reiterated her stance about her organization and explained that people's personal struggles can shape how they experience work, but she insists Goop is far from toxic.

According to Paltrow, anyone visiting the Santa Monica office would find “really engaged, really brilliant, highly collaborative teams who are excited.” She also expressed her displeasure at the negative chatter, declaring, “I don't like that kind of stuff; it impacts the team.”

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Gwyneth Paltrow Identified Goop’s Customer As 'Rich'

Gwyneth Paltrow at The Daily Front Row's 7th Annual Fashion Los Angeles Awards
Xavier Collin/Image Press Agency/MEGA

This isn't the first time Paltrow has set the record straight about her company. After conversations arose over their high prices, she clarified the specific demographic Goop caters to. 

Per The Blast, the wellness enthusiast broke down who typically makes up their customer base, describing the “Goop woman” as someone like herself. According to Paltrow, she's a woman over 40, college-educated, living mostly in coastal areas, and is “rich.”

Paltrow further differentiated between two types of Goop audiences: the readers, who mostly engage with the brand's content, and shoppers, who actually buy the products. She added that the shoppers generally have a higher household income than the readers.

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The 'Iron Man' Actress Responded To The Narrative Hollywood Has Of Her

Gwyneth Paltrow wearing a Donna Karan New York RE15 gown, Messika jewelry, and Santoni shoes arrives at the 11th Annual Breakthrough Prize Ceremony 2025
Xavier Collin/Image Press Agency/MEGA

While much has been said about her business, Paltrow's personal reputation has also faced its share of scrutiny. In an interview last month, the Golden Globe award recipient opened up about how the public perception of her doesn't reflect who she truly is.

Paltrow acknowledged that she is aware of the "narrative" surrounding her but said it is largely as a result of other people's projections. She described it as "tropey" and "reductive," admitting that it hurts to be so misrepresented.

The businesswoman also pointed to social media as a major factor in how celebrities are now perceived, explaining that platforms like Instagram have stripped away the mystery once associated with fame, making stars more accessible.

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How ‘Gwyneth: The Biography’ Exposed Goop Work Culture 

Gwyneth Paltrow at the World premiere of Disney and Marvel's 'Avengers: Infinity War'
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Much of what went on behind the scenes at Paltrow's brand remained a mystery until writer Amy Odell released a revealing biography about Paltrow in July.

According to excerpts from The Blast, Odell interviewed several former Goop employees who described the actress as having intense control over the company and a management style that allegedly instilled fear among staff.

Some reportedly felt too intimidated to speak openly, even comparing the atmosphere to or worse than working under Anna Wintour. Odell claimed some former employees were afraid of retaliation, saying Paltrow has allegedly "taken action" against people who went against her.

Why Gwyneth Paltrow Released Vagina Scented Candles

Gwyneth Paltrow
MEGA

In May, the “Sliding Doors” star revisited one of Goop's most talked-about controversies, her infamous vagina-scented candle, clarifying that the product was never meant to be shocking or provocative.

As The Blast reported, Paltrow recalled it started playfully, during a scent-testing session with perfumer Douglas Little, where she caught a whiff of one fragrance and joked that it smelled like her vagina. 

Little teased that they should turn it into a candle and sell it, which she sarcastically agreed to, saying, “Yeah, that sounds like a winner.” Despite the product causing tongues to wag, Paltrow explained she kept it there to challenge the stigma around women and their sexuality.

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