Gwyneth Paltrow has responded to comparisons between her wellness empire, Goop, and Meghan Markle’s emerging lifestyle brand, making it clear that she does not view the Duchess of Sussex as a competitor. In a recent interview with Vanity Fair, Paltrow addressed Markle’s Netflix series With Love, Meghan and her broader foray into the lifestyle space.
“I was raised to see other women as friends, not foes,” Paltrow said. “I think there’s always enough to go around. Everybody deserves an attempt at everything that they want to try.”
Despite the comparisons, Paltrow admitted she has not engaged with Markle’s new work, including the Netflix series. “I’ve met Meghan, who seems really lovely, but I don’t know her at all,” she said, noting that they both live in Montecito, California. “Maybe I’ll try to get through their security detail and bring them a pie.”
Paltrow also mentioned her mother, actress Blythe Danner, as an influence on her perspective. “Another woman is never your competition,” Paltrow recalled her mother telling her. “What is right for you will find you.”
Since launching in 2008, Goop has grown into a company selling beauty, fashion, and wellness products, as well as branching into media and events. The brand was valued at $250 million in 2018. Markle’s new business, originally announced under a different name and now rebranded as As Ever, is still in its early stages but is already drawing attention, particularly with With Love, Meghan, which was recently renewed for a second season on Netflix.
The show, featuring Markle hosting guests in a rented house and making items such as rainbow fruit displays and ladybug crostinis, has received mixed reviews from critics. While it has faced scrutiny, Paltrow expressed her tendency to support women in the public eye. “When there’s noise about certain women in the culture, I do have, always, a strong instinct to stand up for them,” she said.
Markle has also announced a shift in her podcasting career. After one season of Archetypes on Spotify, she has rebranded her podcast as Confessions of a Female Founder, where she plans to have candid discussions with female entrepreneurs. “I’ve been having candid conversations with amazing women who have turned dreams into realities, and scaled small ideas into massively successful businesses,” Markle shared on Instagram. “They’re opening up, sharing their tips, tricks, and letting me pick their brains as I build out my own business, As Ever.” The first episode is scheduled for release on April 8.
With both women maintaining a presence in the wellness and lifestyle industry, speculation continues on whether their paths will cross professionally. Paltrow appears unconcerned with any rivalry, and Markle continues to expand her brand’s reach.
