Gwyneth Paltrow is at odds with Vanity Fair and it’s long-time editor, Graydon Carter, over it’s recently tougher stance with celebrities. The New York Times ran a story on Sunday claiming some celebrities and their publicists are upset that the magazine has toughened its coverage on Hollywood and its stars. The piece cited recent examples in the magazine about Brad Pitt’s “World War Z” production disaster and the effect of Scientology on Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes’ marriage.
In May, Paltrow reportedly appeared willingly on the covers of People and Good Housekeeping, but refused Vanity Fair’s offer. In an email obtained by the Times, Paltrow allegedly wrote to friends at the time:
“Vanity Fair is threatening to put me on the cover of their magazine. If you are asked for quotes or comments, please decline. Also, I recommend you all never do this magazine again.”
Carter released this statement in response to reports about Paltrow and her posse boycotting the mag:
“We wouldn’t be doing our job if there wasn’t a little bit of tension between Vanity Fair and its subjects. In any given week, I can expect to hear from a disgruntled subject in Hollywood, Washington, or on Wall Street. That’s the nature of the beast.”
Carter is very influential in the higher circles, leaving many to suggest that her actions and protest are a career risk. He also hosts the hightly anticipated annual Vanity Fair post-Oscar party.
But it may not matter anymore, as the Times notes, ” Celebrities and their publicists can now circumvent traditional media outlets and communicate with their fans directly through Twitter and Facebook.”
Beth Kseniak, a Vanity Fair spokeswoman, provided three Hollywood moguls to speak about how influential the magazine remains in Hollywood. One of them, Harvey Weinstein, who said he reads Vanity Fair for film ideas, said a mention in its pages was “the Good Housekeeping seal of approval in the media world” for a movie.
“Nobody in our industry can put together a guest list like Graydon Carter,” Mr. Weinstein said.
Leslee Dart, a publicist whose clients include Tom Hanks, Woody Allen and Meryl Streep, agrees, telling the paper, “I don’t think people care the way they used to anymore. It’s not important to them to grovel as they once did. Magazines are less relevant.”
Hopefully Ms. Dart is correct, for Gwyneth’s sake.