Gwyneth Paltrow learned everything she needed to know in high school

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Oh, Gwyneth. Is there any subject that you will not deign to speak of with condescension? Gwyneth wants us to know that she didn’t need formal training as an actress – she was just that good, naturally. You know why? Because her mother is Blythe Danner, and yours isn’t. You can go to The Actor’s Studio and study Stanislavski, because you are not Blythe Danner’s daughter and acting simply isn’t in your blood. And even then, you didn’t deign to attend to Spence Academy, which Goop claims trained her for every single thing in her life, basically. Isn’t that funny? Everything Goop needed to learn about the world, she learned from being a popular girl in a private high school. That says it all, right?

Gwyneth Paltrow learned everything about acting from her mother, Blythe Danner, and her own instincts. At the Spence School last week, Paltrow told students she has no training beyond what she learned there: “I studied drama here, but I didn’t study it past being at Spence … My mother … has done a lot of stage work. I got a great education from her … and growing up here where I went to the theater all the time. I’ve developed my own technique, but the most important thing is your instincts.”

[From Page Six]

Keep in mind – Gwyneth’s own, special Goop technique is what enabled her to twang it up as a country singer in Country Strong. The Goop Technique has allowed her to shake her goop without rhythm on Glee. It allowed her to stand around and be the foil to Robert Downey Jr. in Iron Man. Because those of Goop’s most recent acting credits, and I don’t really think they speak volumes about her “talent” or her technique. But it doesn’t really matter – in Goop’s mind, she’s always A-list and she will always be A-list. She learned that at Spence too.

Here’s another Goop story, via the NYDN. Goop took her kids bowling. HOW GAUCHE.

Gwyneth Paltrow doesn’t half-ass it when she competes against her kids. A source at Bowlmor Lanes in Union Square says the “Country Strong” actress brought her two children, Apple, 7, and Moses, 5, to the alley on Thursday for an afternoon of pin toppling.

After trading in her high heels for a rather plain pair of bowling shoes and signing in as “Mom” on the electronic scoreboard, the insider says Paltrow proceeded to dominate her progeny. The 39-year-old actress scored a respectable 83 for herself, while her daughter rolled a 70. Moses finished with 62. Expect to see a post on Goop about teaching your kids to lose with grace — and learning how not to gloat when you best your children in games of skill.

[From The NYDN]

It cracks me up to no end that Goop is so superior she won’t even let her kids win at bowling. “I have to teach them how to be the BEST, because they are my children, and it’s in our genes to be the best. How else will they learn if I don’t beat them until they get better?” Goop asked the Dalai Lama.

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Photos courtesy of WENN & Fame.

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64 Responses to “Gwyneth Paltrow learned everything she needed to know in high school”

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  1. atorontogal says:

    I always liked and admired Blythe but this chick makes me hurl!

  2. Sadie says:

    LOL…I needed a good laugh this morning. I hope she never stops with her crazy.

  3. Gabbo says:

    This woman is ridiculous.

  4. someone says:

    i LOVE her outfit in the first picture minus those awful pink sunglasses…it doesn’t even make sense to have those on?!!? lol omg, are you saying that her role in Iron Man was considered ACTING?! …

  5. Victoria says:

    i love to hate her. bitch is fabulous and moronic

  6. Enny says:

    I would love for one of her Spence classmates to out her as the ultimate mean girl she undoubtedly was.

  7. RocketMerry says:

    Of course she doesn’t. No need to explain.

    *Rolls her eyes hard.Very hard.Harder than Goop*

  8. Emily says:

    I love to snark on Goop as much as everybody but to be fair, my dad never let me win at chess even though I was only seven years old. But I think in the end it was good for me. The day that I finally did beat him (I was in first year university haha) was like the BEST DAY EVER! (And then of course he immediately challenged me to a re-match, which then he won. :P)

  9. carolinaBelle says:

    My theory about her is that she feels inadequate about her lack of a university degree (she attended a not-so-vigorous college in CA for a bit), thus she constantly overcompensates by reminding us that she went to Spence. A great school, but one nonetheless where one’s admittance is based on who your family is and if you can afford it, not academic merit.

    She hasn’t had a hit movie in years, so her only way to be relevant/stay in the news is to say bitchy things.

    Go to college Goop and maybe you’ll feel better about yourself.

  10. Jackie says:

    if she did not have a pretty face, skinny body, and family connections, i very much doubt she would have gotten far in the acting profession.

    she is so privileged, she doesn’t even realize this.

  11. Al says:

    Because going to college is SO MIDDLE-CLASS! Where do you think your therapist went, honey, to learn to deal with all your bs? Oh yes, sorry, I forgot, your therapist with the Ph.D. is just one of your ‘support staff’. Gimme a break.

  12. spinner says:

    I can’t help it…I love her!!

  13. Calli Pygian says:

    Well, that explains quite a lot about her need for approval, her social skills, and her focus on facades.

  14. brooklyn says:

    I don’t get why some people hate her.
    I went to private school in Europe for years and had to work very hard.
    Both my parents are highly educated with important jobs and they expected all of their children to do very well.
    No excuses at all.
    It helped me in life, it gave me a strong work ethic and appreciation for life.
    We need a lot more driven, capable and smart people to make this world a much better place for all.
    It’s good that her kids are not spoiled rotten!

  15. sapphire says:

    @Brooklyn-not dissing your experience at all, but this snob hasn’t made the aquaintance of meritocracy.Going to Spence does not mean she worked hard, learned much or even displayed a talent.

  16. Danny says:

    LOL, “a respectable 83.” It’s not golf.

    Goop really is the gift that just keeps on giving.

  17. Rhiley says:

    See, I think part of Goop’s problem (for lack of a better word) is that it is evident when she speaks that she did not go to college. She uses big words way out of context and she would really benefit from a good, old fashioned writing 101 class where most people who go to college learn to not throw words into sentences just because they think it makes them sound smart. Goop does that all the time and it is annoying. I mean, compare Goop to Anderson Cooper. They are both from New York elite and went to New York elite private schools. But Anderson went to college, educated himself beyond priviledged halls of high school, and has made a real impact on the way we receive and interpret news from all over the world. He also knows how to laugh at himself, as his 25 Things so graciously showed.

  18. dorothy says:

    So Gwyneth didn’t go to college? Huh? Amazing since most upper class debutantes do. So basically if she hadn’t had famous parents that led to the acting jobs she would be working at Wal Mart or McDonalds now. Funny thought, but so true. No college? Thought you were better than that Gwenyth.

  19. kiki says:

    I dislike Goop with every fiber of my being, but I’ll side with her about not letting her kids win. Not that 83 is a good score or anything, but how can a kid learn how to do anything right if not from the parent’s example?
    Although of course having Goop as their example will certainly scar them for life. Poor babies, hope they have a therapy fund set up.

  20. brooklyn says:

    @ sapphire :

    I would imagine that she needed to pass some tests before she was accepted into a private school and they are not easy, so she must have at least above average level of intelligence.
    I know of some people that got into my private school, because of huge bribes.
    Unfortunately it’s not uncommon in Europe.
    She seems to be an ambitious, hard working lady
    and from what I know she didn’t achieve fame and wealth from sex tapes and flashing her lady parts for the world to see (Paris Hilton and Kim K).
    Which is better?

  21. MacScore says:

    Sorry, no. the jeans and pixie boots (hello 1982!) in pic one Just.Look.Awful.

  22. Denise says:

    Fishsticks Paltrowski is a legend in her own mind and a very sad try hard and overcompensator.

  23. Reece says:

    On this one thing I’m on her side.
    I wouldn’t let my kids win either. That’s life kid accept it & do better next time. They have to learn failure & recovery. IMO
    Btw, 83 is not respectable. I can pull 140 half wasted.

  24. Sue says:

    to Brooklyn; I believe that money and famous parents likely got her into private school, more than passing some entrance tests.

  25. Shelly says:

    I like her booties in the first pic. And I still like her, even though she can be annoying.

  26. StanleyPark says:

    I absolutely love her cookbook.
    The recipes are great, not too simple or too complicated, but truly delicious tasting and healthy.
    I collect cookbooks, so I have way too many, hers became my top book very quickly.
    She certainly seems very capable.

  27. Kelly says:

    I like her; I think people are way too hard on her. At least she’s not the typical celebrity slut.

  28. brooklyn says:

    @ Sue :

    It’s certainly possible that she got in, because of her parents financial resources and their name, but she would still have to pass the entrance exams.
    In order to even stay in private school her marks would have to be very good.
    The space is very limited in private schools around the world, but especially in NYC. It’s not like a public school, anybody can attend regardless of their marks or who their parents are and how much wealth they might have.
    I can tell you from personal experience.
    I know that some love to hate her, but she should be given credit, if credit is due. She had to have above average intelligence to be able to attend and stay in private school.

  29. UKHels says:

    just more insecurity

    of course you don’t HAVE to have had professional drama training to be an actor but I bet there’s an undercurrent of snobbery about those who haven’t…certainly in UK theatre circles daaaaaahling

  30. sierra says:

    I Feel like you are reading way too much into the bowling. It just seems she went out for a good time with her kids. I doubt it was some competition. She probably was practicing herself she might notnhave time for it. Idk. This accusation though seems misplaced and really irrational.

  31. lrm says:

    I also dont get the hate for her as far as acting-she got asked these questions, or asked to speak, and she shared her experience. big deal.
    She IS a good actress-not in everything-but i’ve liked her in many films. i think ppl let their hatred of her snobbery and pretension interfere with her work as an actress.
    I mean, many actors with good reputations, say she is great and a great actress to work with, as well.
    I mourned when she veered off into Goop and other areas, and wish she would have just stayed with acting and out of the press so much.

  32. learnyourvalue says:

    I think people hate her, because she is very succesfull and doesn’t pretend like so many stars do, that she didn’t have to work for it.
    To appeal to the masses, she would need to act like she didn’t have to do anything to earn her fame and wealth. Yes, clearly she came from privilage and I’m sure it helps, but at the end of the day it’s up to her to make something out of it.She could have taken the Paris Hilton road, if she wanted to.

  33. Olie says:

    I like her a lot.Paltrow seems like a decent person that is honest and not sucking up to the public,telling the media what they want to hear.My parents never let us win,because they wanted us to be able to fight as hard as possible in life.It prepared us for the ups and downs that being alive brings.All of us kids are well off in life,because we were not pampered to death.Good for her.

  34. Happymom says:

    Wait-I’m supposed to lose at games so my kids feel better?! Are you serious? Maybe because I suck at bowling any way-but I really can’t imagine “throwing” the game to help my kids’ self esteem. I think Goop is a bit much-but I’m not going to fault her for getting a better bowling score than her kids.

  35. MOMA says:

    It’s good that she is raising her kids to be fighters. Life is not easy and it’s smart for her to raise them to be able to compete. Paltrow achieved a lot and even though her name and money surely helps, she still had to work for her accomplishments. I like that she isn’t a boring average person.

  36. KateNonymous says:

    “How else will they learn if I don’t beat them until they get better?”

    That reminds me of a line from Mommy Dearest.

    Which is not to say that I think you should always let your kids win. But on occasion I think it helps them if they see that they CAN win.

  37. Eleonor says:

    @StanleyPark: Do you really believe she wrote a cookbook? But if she barely eat. I seriously believe she barely put a feet in the kitchen.

  38. Enny says:

    She did go to UCSB for a while, but then dropped out… Probably too many peasants who didn’t care that she’s Blythe Danner’s daughter.

  39. StanleyPark says:

    @ Eleonor :

    Yes, I asolutely believe she wrote her cookbook and I also believe that she cooked the recipes in her book.
    I’m a very experienced cook and I’m a huge foodie, I recognize a fellow foodie when I see one.
    Don’t let appearances fool you, I’m stick thin, never ever have I worked out in my life and I eat almost 24/7.
    My parents are the same way as I’m, so it’s in my genetic make-up, but
    I also always eat healthy organic food.
    I love organic dark chocolate from the health food store, lots of organic whole grain bread, pasta, wild rice, organic basmati brown rice and quinoa and organic dairy products.
    I don’t think that I could give up good whole grain carbs, if my life would depend on it!!!
    It’s good to eat healthy in Canada, because the socialist health care system we have here is horrible and paying to see a doctor privately is very expensive. Can’t afford that.
    Have to wait 10-18 just to see a specialist. CRAZY!

  40. thethinker says:

    Wow! Poor Gwyneth can’t get a break. She’s talking about her experiences. What did you want her to say about acting? She went to acting school? Well she didn’t.

    As for the bowling thing, my dad used to race against us and didn’t slow down/ patronise us. I think we’re better for it.

  41. Enny says:

    And as much as I snark on her, Sliding Doors is still my go-to comfort flick and I have no trouble admitting that. 🙂

  42. whitedaisy says:

    Gah! The Paltrow PR Team is out in force today.
    The woman is hands down the most insecure, insufferable “celebrity via nepotism” out there.

  43. Dee says:

    Someone fire up the Nexius and bring up her interviews from the ’90s when she brags about cutting out of Spence.
    @ Brooklyn- once your in your in. It’s not all that competitive for all.

  44. Trek Girl says:

    I don’t know why, or maybe I do and just won’t say, but all of this crap about letting children win games to help with their self-esteem, and on the other end, basically saying “well, them’s the breaks, kid, accept it and move on. Maybe you’ll beat me some day.”, just gets on my nerves. How about every one just plays the game the way they play it, neither throwing the game or making it into a big competition with ones own children. Is that a hard thing to do?

  45. lucy2 says:

    I wonder if it does kind of bug her that she doesn’t have a college degree – I could see it. Especially when so many other young actors do the Ivy League thing, I’d bet that’s what her parents envisioned for her.

    I don’t think she’s stupid, but much like her career, her parents got her into that school – and the same is true for most of the students, I’d guess.

  46. kili says:

    @ lucy2:

    I worked very hard to attend a private school.My parents paid the bills, but I had to have excellent marks just to be considered.
    My entrance exams were not easy either.
    It’s not simple, private schools have long waiting lists and even longer list of requirements.

  47. danielle says:

    Booklyn, yeah, I’m not sure where you get the idea that all private schools require you pass an entrance exam.

  48. Brooklyn says:

    @ danielle:

    I have the idea from attending only private schools and I had to do an entrance exam every single time.

  49. shiba says:

    Gwyneth is privileged. She seems to have a blind spot about how much of a leg up that’s given her, from genetics and family money to the deep entertainment connections of both her parents. Spence is also a very competitive prep school that expects the best from it’s students. She suffers from denial, not stupidity. Also, it’s depressing when women hate on other women just “because”, instead of something concrete like taking $ to go to a dictator’s party or being drunk at events honoring the military. So she’s uber lucky…so what? Keep it movin’, ladies!

  50. peppers says:

    Ladies,don’t be so petty.She works hard for her success,works out daily for two hours and I am too lazy to work out two minutes.Yes,she was born under a lucky star and into a great family,but she did her own thing and thank god not like the Kardashian trash with sex tapes and fake weddings.

  51. taxi says:

    I like her. I like her cookbook & her TV tour of Spain. Many celebs, including some of the most popular, are high school drop-outs. Gwyneth behaves with some dignity & isn’t out making a public spectacle of herself. No druggy-drunk street scenes or scandals, so what’s the big deal on dissing her?

  52. Boo says:

    Gee, if only I had gone to Spence, I would know everything about everything, too. I feel like such an ass, going to college and graduate school and STILL not knowing everything.

  53. ennis865 says:

    “She uses big words way out of context and she would really benefit from a good, old fashioned writing 101 class where most people who go to college learn to not throw words into sentences just because they think it makes them sound smart.”

    And don’t forget the awkward phrasing and clumsy syntax. It’s obvious that her teachers never taught her to write with clarity. Aside from being undereducated, I think her problem is that she was never much of a reader. She’s intelligent enough to appreciate a well turned phrase, but hasn’t the wherewithal to pull one off herself.

    @kili – admission requirements vary. I knew kids from three different private schools when I was in HS myself. They seemed utterly unimpressive as far as academics went. My wealthiest friend hopped from school to school (personal problems). Her grades were terrible, so trust me, not all private schools have standards.

  54. ferst says:

    I kinda like her, i also happen to think that she’s a great actress. But she really has zero idea on what ‘humble’ is. She should add this one little word into her dictionary and watch people’s general perception on her shifted.

    Also her cookbook is terrible. For normal people like me. I don’t have all those healthy ingredients in my pantry. God help peasant like me.

  55. Jayna says:

    In her twenties she was an excellent actress. She had something special that resonated on screen. I loved all her movies. Then she stepped away for a while having babies. But i haven’t seen much from her any more that is special. Her face was so luminescent in her younger days. She is looking like her mom now.

  56. kim says:

    @brooklyn
    ok so lets say she passed. But I’m guessing she barely passed. I’m talking one point away from failure. I don’t know where you live, but I live in AMERICA and in AMERICA MONEY CAN BUY ANYTHING. ANYTHING. George W. Bush went to Yale, and I’m sure he didn’t get in based on his grades and intellect.

  57. Ally says:

    Her technique was freakin’ marvellous in the 90s/early 00s…

    Emma
    The Talented Mr. Ripley
    Sylvia

    She was marvellous in those.

    She has gotten complacent and lazy, though. (See also: SJP) There needs to be a nice secluded acting rehab for all this atrophied talent to practice their skills in improv again.

  58. VoiceOfReason says:

    The whole bowling story makes me laugh. The only way Gwyneth could score lower than her kids did is to throw gutter balls purposely. But bowling alleys usually put gutter guards out on the lanes where small kids bowl to give them a decent chance. So there is no way she was “trying” to beat them. Her score is no indication of someone who is really trying. I was one of the worst bowlers in my bowling league and even then, I managed to break 100 without making much effort. So give me a break. She just threw the ball for fun and together time with her kids, not to compete with them.

  59. AcornPaste says:

    Ugh. Someone please pass me the barf bucket!

  60. Eleonor says:

    @StanleyPark: I don’t believe she wrote that book, for the same reason I don’t believe it’s Jessica Simpson herself who sketches the clothes of her fashion line. I think they have a team of persons who work for them and the celebrity can give opinion, or ideas. By the way I saw Goop on youtube, when she cuts vegetables she doesn’t seem very skilled, and I’m Italian, I know a thing or two about cooking with fresh ingredients and eating healthy. I don’t even find that recipies particulary interesting.

  61. Brooklyn says:

    @ kim :

    I attended private schools in Europe and NYC.
    I live and work most of the time in NYC.
    AMERICA DOESN’T HAVE THE EXCLUSIVE RIGHTS ON BRIBES IN THE WORLD, EUROPE IS MUCH BETTER AT IT.
    All I know is what I experienced. The private schools that I attend were very demanding. The space was also limited and the waiting lists were long.
    Each class had only 10 students maximum.
    I know I will get attacked big time for this one, but I have to say it.
    Paltrow makes millions, so clearly she will live a different lifestyle compared to someone who doesn’t make that kind of money. She eats organic, wears designer clothes, travels the world, speaks a couple of languages and has a few homes. Some people dislike her, because she is not pretending to be something that she isn’t, so she could appeal to bigger demographic and why should she? Paltrow can’t be faulted for were she was born, none of us pick out our parents.
    Paris Hilton had the Hilton name, their money and connections, so why didn’t she go to SPENCE like Paltrow, if it’s all so easy?
    Class can’t be bought, Paris Hilton is one good example.
    Paltrow has class, is well spoken and seems to be well read from the interviews I’ve seen in Europe. I think she has more talent than a lot of airheads in HW today.
    Her claim to fame is not a sex tape or a cheesy reality show or flashing of her private parts for the world to see and falling drunk out of different nightclubs night after night!

  62. original kate says:

    those photos of her running crack me up.

  63. Jaariel says:

    I remember my grandpa always beating me at checkers (I was under 10), & though it frustrated me a bit, it was also oddly comforting, knowing he was so good at something, better than me at least, made him seem capable of protecting me in bigger things, since I knew he loved me. I think beating an adult would have made me feel more insecure. Just a thought.

  64. Katniss says:

    i like how every time someone defends gwyneth, they either cite the absolute worst behavior possible that celebs could display and say “oh look well at least shes not doing THIS” or they devalue the opinions of people who dislike her by saying they are merely jealous cuz shes totes perfect! (lul)

    Comparing her to the worst doesnt make her the best
    and if anything i think the worst behaviors (alcoholism, drug use etc.) while repulsive, are far more forgivable to the public because it makes them more human or relatable in everyones eyes

    Gwyneth’s crimes, of being a preachy snob, sanctimonious, materialistic and out of touch with reality may not be the worst but they are certainly more irritating in a completely different way

    I’d dislike someone who thought they were above me then someone with a different flaw or weakness

    Arrogance is the fastest way to turn me off, and judging by the majority of the commenters on here and just general opinion of her all together i’d say it bugs the hell out of everyone else too.

    ALSO no one respects someone who has more then them when they feel that person didnt have to work hard for it

    so being born into a rich family with all the right connections… i can imagine why Goopy gets all the hate she does

    but thats OK
    you just keep telling yourself that gwyneth has her awful reputation because shes a SPECIAL SNOWFLAKE that is just so good that people are just mad they couldnt be as perfect as she

    …and i will keep laughing at your idiotic selves

    whatever it take to write it off in your head hunny… whatever it takes…