Gwyneth Paltrow has found herself at the centre of an online storm after fans accused her of being 'patronising' towards her former co-star, Ethan Hawke, during a recent interview. The pair reunited for a Vanity Fair segment, 27 years after starring in the 1998 film 'Great Expectations'.
A Reunion Question Sparks Controversy
The longtime friends were reminiscing in a video for the magazine when Paltrow posed a question that quickly ignited debate on social media. 'Do you still eat Taco Bell?' Paltrow asked Hawke, with a tone that numerous users on X (formerly Twitter) interpreted as dismissive and condescending.
Hawke, however, responded with grace and nostalgia. 'That's really funny,' he said. 'My idea, when Gwyneth and I met, of a special night - we're going to Taco Bell.' He added that he even celebrated finishing his first novel, 'The Hottest State', with a meal from the fast-food chain. Paltrow's retort, 'It's a sickness,' delivered while looking into the camera, further fuelled the perception of a subtle dig.
Social Media Backlash and Defence
After the clip was shared on TikTok and X, a swift backlash ensued. One X user criticised Paltrow's demeanour, writing, 'She’s so patronizing and that remark was meant to be such a low dig. But he just turned it around with grace.' Others labelled her 'insufferable' and suggested she 'needs to get out more.'
However, not all viewers saw malice in the exchange. Several defended the interaction as a long-standing inside joke between the two actors, who have been friends for decades. 'Oh, please. Clearly you don't know her sense of humour. That's just poking fun at old times since they've known each other for ages,' one person argued online.
Broader Context and Past Controversy
This Vanity Fair interview follows another recent controversy involving Paltrow. She was branded a 'hypocrite' by Kristin Cabot, the woman at the centre of the viral Coldplay 'kiss cam' incident. Cabot, who was mocked in a PR video by Paltrow for the dating app Astronomer, slammed the Goop founder for not 'uplifting women' despite her company's ethos. Cabot told The Times she subsequently threw away all her Goop products.
Ultimately, the Taco Bell exchange highlights how easily banter between old friends can be misconstrued in the public eye. While Hawke seemed to cherish the memory, stating, 'I think it's remarkable how we haven't changed... and I'm proud of that,' the online reaction proves that celebrity interactions remain under intense and often divisive scrutiny.
