Gwyneth Paltrow Mocked For Suggesting She Popularized Face Masks

During a recent chat with The New York Times, the Goop founder was lauded for sharing a selfie of herself in a mask "way before face coverings became the norm."

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The photo-in-question dates back to last February and shows Paltrow wearing a ventilated mask — which doesn't prevent the spread of the virus — alongside the caption, "En route to Paris. Paranoid? Prudent? Panicked? Placid? Pandemic? Propaganda? Paltrow's just going to go ahead and sleep with this thing on the plane."

"I've already been in this movie," she said, referencing her role in 2011's Contagion. "Stay safe. Don't shake hands. Wash hands frequently."

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A post shared by Gwyneth Paltrow (@gwynethpaltrow)

However, in response to the praise, Paltrow used the opportunity to suggest she was a trend-setter in a number of different ways.

"This is a familiar pattern in my life. I do something early, everyone is like: 'What is she doing? She's insane.' And then it's adopted by the culture," she said, before adding that she was also "one of the first" people to test positive for COVID-19.

Needless to say though, the internet wasn't pleased with her "utter lack of self-awareness."

"Imagine being this level of self absorbed," as one person said, while a second added, "Imagine thinking that people are wearing masks to be like Gwyneth rather than to prevent the spread of a deadly disease. The fucking hubris."

Truly she is the gift that keeps on giving and her utter lack of self awareness. https://t.co/x8Wx0dIdYk

— Sheriff Lonestar (@SheriffLonestar) February 21, 2021

Imagine being this level of self absorbed 🙄 https://t.co/67l57Hzmas

— attractive nuisance (@BoozyBillsBabe) February 21, 2021

Imagine thinking that people are wearing masks to be like Gwyneth rather than to prevent the spread of a deadly disease. The fucking hubris.

— Big Ball of Yarn and Depression (@Heidi36257043) February 21, 2021

Meanwhile, others just rolled their eyes at the statement and wrote things like "so grateful Gwyneth Paltrow invented masks" and "Gwyneth Paltrow singlehandedly caused COVID so she could start a mask trend."

So grateful Gwyneth Paltrow invented masks 👑

— Sauleha (@Sauliloquy1) February 22, 2021

gwyneth paltrow single-handedly caused covid so she could start a mask trend https://t.co/rn6nszfSkg

— char (@gavesomanysigns) February 21, 2021

And elsewhere, a few more people pointed out that many people in Asian countries have been wearing masks for much longer than her, with one critic asking, "Have you ever been literally anywhere in East Asia, Gwyneth."

"One thing miss mamas knows how to do is appropriate Asian culture and pretend she invented it," another wrote, while a third brought up a similar statement she made in the past about popularizing yoga in the United States.

Have you ever been literally anywhere in East Asia, Gwyneth https://t.co/qPzgXH0FDG

— A. E. D🍩🍩land✒ 📚🏳️‍🌈 (@Asynca) February 21, 2021

One thing miss mamas knows how to do is appropriate Asian culture and pretend she invented it.

— katrina says clean your phone (@pinkpushpop) February 21, 2021

I believe she said something similar about yoga once too 🤔

— Annie Maynard (@eamayn) February 20, 2021

Paltrow, however, has yet to respond to the backlash.

Photo via Getty