Why Gwyneth Paltrow Risked a Very Public Ski Collision Trial – and Emerged Unscathed | Analysis

Despite the risks of her testimony, the celebrity entrepreneur likely saw limited downside for herself and Goop in a winnable battle for her reputation

Why would Gwyneth Paltrow submit herself to the risks of both a trial and the merciless court of public opinion instead of quietly settling a ski collision case, as most celebrities faced with similar situations opt to do? A public trial could tarnish both her image and her $430 million brand, Goop.

It took seven years to come to trial, eight days of testimony, and less than three hours for a jury in Park City, Utah, to determine that Gwyneth Paltrow wasn’t at fault for a skiing collision in 2016. Instead, the jury declared that 76-year-old retired optometrist Terry Sanderson, who brought a $300,000 suit against the Oscar-winning actress and Goop entrepreneur, was 100% at fault and owed Paltrow $1, the amount she countersued him for.

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