Gwyneth Paltrow has spoken out about how Harvey Weinstein led her away from her acting career, stating that he has 'tarnished' how she views her early days in Hollywood.
The Goop businesswoman is one of more than 80 women who have come forward with allegations against Weinstein, who denies all claims of non-consensual sex, maintaining his innocence and describing allegations against him as 'false'.
At The New York Times’ DealBook Conference last week, Paltrow explained that she’s still processing her feelings towards him, saying that she wasn’t aware of how his behaviour had impacted her or how it might have influenced her career in the wellness industry.
'It’s something that I’ve been processing over the last year or so. I don’t even think I was aware that it possibly could have tarnished the way I viewed my first career,' she explained.
'I don’t like to be binary about people and things. He gave me an incredible opportunity- and yet during that time, we had a very, very fraught, complicated relationship.'
In 2017, The New York Times reported that Weinstein made advances towards Paltrow during a meeting to discuss her lead role in Emma, when she was 22 years old.
'The postscript to that chapter of my life is where it gets extremely complicated for me,' she said.
'Information came to light about who he was and how he was behaving that I didn’t know during my already difficult time with him. So I’m not sure. I’m not sure how I feel.'
Paltrow highlighted how Weinstein’s power enabled him to carry on this behaviour for years. 'There’s a spectrum- but it does seem to me for the more egregious offenders, that really loss of power is what keeps them from further offending.'
The actress continued: 'So if they don’t have the power, then they lose that dynamic and then the game's over.'
Weinstein is facing charges of rape and sexual assault and awaits his trial in January.
Jessica Davis is Harper's Bazaar UK's digital writer. She helps the team across all sections of the brand, from writing news stories, to designer and celebrity interviews, as well as longer features. Specialising in fashion and sustainability, Jessica heads up our sustainability content, from championing brands to keeping our readers in the know about how to help our planet. She’s loved fashion ever since she can remember and enjoys wearing clothing that sparks joy.
