The former weekly magazine editor in me was fascinated by the Gwyneth Paltrow skiing accident court case, in particular her parting words to her accuser when she won.
The actress walked up behind him and whispered “I wish you well” in his ear.
Goosebumps.
As Buzzfeed writes: “The four words Gwyneth Paltrow whispered in her accuser’s ear are a master class in how to quietly destroy an enemy.”
And just like that, “I wish you well” became a thing on social media, sparking endless memes and commentary.
As someone noted on Twitter: “I wish you well” is white woman for “I hope you get fired from a rocket right into the fucking sun”.
Another tweeted …
In case you missed why Gwyneth was in court, she was being sued for allegedly colliding into a retired optometrist in Utah in 2016 and skiing away. He said the incident left him with brain damage and four broken ribs. He wanted $300,000 in compensation.
She countersued, claiming she was the one skied into. When asked how she had suffered as a result of the incident, Paltrow testified: “Well, we lost half a day of skiing.”
She won her case and was awarded the $1 and legal fees she requested.
Gwyneth’s win coincided with one of the most unpleasant women I’ve ever worked with – it’s a tough contest – getting married.
I had been contemplating my response to the wedding news – prior to Gywneth’s “I wish you well” moment – and had settled on “I wish her all the happiness she deserves”.
“I wish you well” is probably more decorous. Although, while Gwyneth swept away in triumph after she uttered the words, I limped off to counselling and a heart monitor.
Some wedding photos popped into my Facebook feed over the weekend. There were lovely snaps of guests and the happy bride and groom.
It reminded me that nothing is black and white.
While my dealings with the bride were distressing, she is obviously loved.
Human beings are complex creatures. They can be angels and home and devils at work; or angels in the workplace and devil at home. They can be kind in person and cruel on social media.
Loved by some, loathed by others.
And the people who love them can be completely oblivious to their dark sides.
Song of the day: Neil Sedaka “Bad blood”
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