Journalist Taffy Brodesser-Akner joins Vanessa to discuss Gwyneth Paltrow's rise to cultural icon status. They share stories of drinking and smoking with Gwyneth, and swap tales about the infamous Nikki Minaj.
Taffy Brodesser-Akner shares her determination to write about Gwyneth Paltrow despite obstacles and her unique contract with celebrity magazine readers.
Taffy highlights the importance of recording and documenting interviews for fact-checking purposes and the challenges she faced during fact-checking.
Deep dives
Taffy's 10-year pursuit of writing a Gwyneth Paltrow story
Taffy shares her 10-year struggle to write a Gwyneth Paltrow story, expressing her unwavering determination to write about Paltrow despite numerous obstacles. She recounts arranging an off-the-record interview with Paltrow and sharing her theory about why people dislike her, highlighting the unique contract Paltrow has with celebrity magazine readers.
Taffy's perception of Gwyneth Paltrow's authenticity
Taffy reflects on her experience with Paltrow, marveling at her beauty and perfection. She acknowledges feeling envious of Paltrow's talents and lifestyle, but also discusses how her perception of Paltrow shifted throughout the interview, with the realization that Paltrow is just a person like anyone else.
The challenges of fact-checking and dealing with PR
Taffy recounts the challenges she faced during fact-checking and the communicati-ons with Paltrow's PR team. She describes the PR team's initial mistrust and their focus on trivial details rather than essential aspects of the story. Taffy highlights the importance of recording and documenting interviews for fact-checking purposes.
The discomfort of interacting with interview subjects after publication
Taffy divulges her discomfort with interacting with interview subjects after the publication of her articles, explaining that she feels the responsibility and the potential impact her work can have on their lives. She discusses her adherence to professional boundaries and the difficulties of maintaining a professional distance from her subjects.
Renowned Gwynethologist and Fleishman is in Trouble creator Taffy Brodesser-Akner joins Vanessa to talk about how Gwyneth became a one-of-a-kind cultural icon. Taffy tells all about offering Gwyneth a gas station brand cigarette and getting too drunk in her picturesque Los Angeles home. Plus, Taffy and Vanessa swap stories about rap star and infamously volatile interviewee Nicki Minaj.
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