Gwyneth Paltrow, the celebrated actress known for her iconic roles in films like “Shakespeare in Love” and “The Royal Tenenbaums,” has found a unique use for her Academy Award. In a recent “73 Questions” interview with Vogue, the 51-year-old actress revealed that she employs her Oscar statuette as a doorstop in her home.
Paltrow’s Oscar, which she received in 1998 for Best Actress for her role in “Shakespeare in Love,” took on a novel role during the interview, which was filmed at her Hamptons residence over the summer. As she guided interviewer Joe Sabia through her garden, the camera focused on her Oscar, conspicuously placed on the floor, holding a door open.
Commenting on the sight, Sabia complimented the statuette, saying, “What a beautiful Academy Award.”
Paltrow responded with a playful smile, quipping, “My doorstop. It works perfectly!”
Later in the interview, Sabia playfully referred to the Oscar’s alternate function after Paltrow was asked about a red velvet Gucci suit she wore to the 1996 MTV Video Music Awards. She explained that the suit now resides in her California closet and mentioned that she wore it again to a Gucci show in 2021.
Sabia humorously asked, “So you’re not using it to hold any doors around here?” To which Paltrow laughed and replied, “Not currently.”
In addition to her unique use for the Oscar, the interview offered a glimpse into Paltrow’s favorite movie roles, her earliest inspiration for becoming an actress, and her cinematic preferences. She also candidly stated that she misses nothing about being a leading lady in Hollywood.
Reflecting on her Oscar win in the past, Paltrow has described it as a double-edged sword, acknowledging the honor while admitting that it led to an “identity crisis.” The sudden and overwhelming attention that came with the accolade prompted her to reevaluate her career and life choices, despite the undeniable significance of the achievement.
Gwyneth Paltrow’s unconventional choice to repurpose her Oscar as a doorstop adds a playful and endearing layer to her already captivating persona, demonstrating that even the most prestigious awards can find unconventional and down-to-earth purposes in the right hands.