• by Larissa Faw , Staff Writer, June 22, 2016

Gwyneth Paltrow is switching from movie sets to board rooms. "Women have different chapters in their lives, different seasons," she says during a discussion with Stephen Sackur for BBC's Hard Talk at Cannes Lions 2016. 

At this point, she is taking a break from acting to focus solely on running Goop, her lifestyle website launched in 2008. "I decided to pivot and follow my passion." 

Paltrow believes Goop is uniquely positioned within the lifestyle space. "Our website is aspirational but not a luxury site," she says. "We are at a point where we have a lot of growth in our future."  

This collective of like-minded women provides advice, tips, and products. For her part, she uses the site as a mouthpiece. Goop was the first place to publish the statement that Paltrow and singer Chris Martin were divorcing in 2014. "It was a difficult time in our lives" and she felt she could control the message if "we were doing it ourselves and on my platform." She admits she didn't know the conscious uncoupling phrase was going to "inspire that much conversation."  

Paltrow dismisses her reputation for "airy announcements from planet wealth." Although Goop does sell pajama suits for $1,000, she points out the site has a complete range of price points, including $8 lip balm. "What we are trying to offer is a place for discovery and delight." She isn't above trolling for attention, admitting that some products, like the $15,000 gold vibrator was specifically selected to attract attention.

Paltrow accepts her public perception, even if it doesn't jive with her reality. "People think I just eat seaweed and air," she says. "I am all about balance and living life in a way that is enjoyable. People generalize and that is okay. I accept this is my path and sometimes piss people off."