Author Amy Odell on Chronicling the Life of Gwyneth Paltrow, From '90s Fashion Icon to Wellness Mogul

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Just three years after her acclaimed biography of Anna Wintour, fashion and culture journalist and New York Times best-selling author Amy Odell has a new project: Gwyneth: The Biography, a revealing biography of actress and Goop founder Gwyneth Paltrow. Drawing from extensive interviews and meticulous archival research, Odell traces Paltrow’s journey from a '90s fashion icon to a polarizing wellness mogul, offering a nuanced portrait of a cultural figure who has captivated the public for over three decades. In this episode, Odell shares insights into the voices that shaped her narrative and reflects on the one question she would have asked Paltrow if given the opportunity.

On the latest episode of The Who What Wear Podcast, Who What Wear co-founder Hillary Kerr sits down with Odell to discuss her latest work, share insights into the voices that shaped her narrative, and reflect on the one question she would have asked Paltrow if given the opportunity.

For excerpts from the conversation, scroll below.

Your last biography, the incredible, intimate biography of Anna Wintour, was phenomenal as well. Why did you want to focus on Gwyneth Paltrow for this project?

There are not that many people who have had a real cultural impact—and Gwyneth Paltrow—love her or hate her—has had a real cultural impact. She's been in the public eye for 30 years. She's someone who people have been magnetically attracted to and who has also been very, very polarizing.

I interviewed more than 220 sources for the book, from people who worked with her at Goop to people who worked with her on films to friends. I wanted to pull back the curtain on who she really is, because countless glossy magazine profiles have been written about her. And what I learned is that those profiles really only scratch the surface of who she is.