The Dark Truth Behind the Wellness Industry Exposed by Rosamund Pike
Actress Rosamund Pike speaks out against the wellness industry, including Gwyneth Paltrow's company, Goop, stating that people are being conned Details inside
Rosamund Pike and Gwyneth Paltrow Shutterstock (2)
“The idea that it’s no longer sufficient to simply be healthy, and that we must now strive for ‘wellness’, seems like a con to me,” remarked Rosamund Pike when asked about Gwyneth Paltrow’s brand, Goop, in an interview with The Guardian published on June 11.
During a recent interview to promote her new BBC Sounds audio series, People Who Knew Me, Rosamund Pike made satirical references to Goop, the wellness brand founded by Iron Man star, Gwyneth Paltrow in 2008. In the radio drama, Pike plays Emily Morris, a woman who takes on a new identity after faking her disappearance post-9/11. Pike went on to explain that the wellness industry is alluring to consumers because it targets desires that people might feel ashamed of, such as youth, beauty and fitness. Pike, who has two children with her partner Robie Uniacke, hails from England.
Rosamund Pike attends the 28th Annual Audie Awards on March 28, 2023 in New York City. Andrew H. Walker/Shutterstock
She pointed out that the #MeToo movement, which aimed to empower women to speak out against sexual abuse and harassment, provided an opportunity for women to break free from some of the societal pressures placed upon them. However, Pike expressed concern that people are now willingly surrendering control in a different form, through the promotion of wellness claims, which has politicized our food and exercise. In her view, this is a dangerous trend. Paltrow's Goop has faced criticism for a number of eyebrow-raising products, such as pills designed to enhance female libido and a pack of disposable diapers that cost a staggering $120. One of the company's most controversial products was the "This Smells Like My Vagina" candle, which was released in 2020 but is no longer available.
"I was with the nose Douglas Little for his brand Heretic when we stumbled upon a scent that caught my attention," explained the Oscar winner during a January 2020 episode of Late Night With Seth Meyers. "I joked and said, 'That smells like my vagina,' but it was all in good fun. And just to clarify, Douglas and I were not under the influence of mushrooms at the time."
A U.K. woman’s home was set ablaze after a Goop candle reportedly exploded, garnering widespread attention once again. According to Jody Thompson, a North London native, the candle emitted huge flames and bits flew everywhere, creating an inferno that was too hot to touch. Despite this, Goop was unable to verify the candle's authenticity as it was not purchased through their outlet. However, the company has alerted the manufacturer of the woman's issue and has offered to send her some Goop products to help pass the time in quarantine. As customer safety is a priority, Goop ensures that all the products they sell are thoroughly vetted before being made available for purchase.
Former chief content officer of Goop, Elise Loehnen, took to Instagram in March 2022 to criticize the company's culture of cleansing. Loehnen revealed that she made a personal vow to never do another cleanse after leaving Goop, and instead embraced a healthy rebellion that allowed her to let go of the societal pressures around body image. She shared that she needed to break away from the tendency to criticize and punish herself, and has since stopped weighing herself altogether. In the video, she expressed her desire to reconnect with her body in a positive way. Despite these concerns being raised, Goop and its founder Gwyneth Paltrow did not respond to requests for comment from Us.
