Life in Hollywood may seem perfect, but even the brightest stars face struggles that are rarely talked about. Gwyneth Paltrow, known for her openness, has addressed an important issue—this time, it’s about anxiety and ways to cope with emotions.
The 52-year-old actress admitted that the worsening of her symptoms coincided with the devastating wildfires in Los Angeles, and during this time, she turned to alcohol as a way to cope with the stress. “I’m in the thick of it right now, and it’s hard,” Paltrow confessed candidly.
She explained that until recently, her menopause symptoms were under control, but the fires in January changed that. “When the fires started in Los Angeles, I literally used alcohol as prescribed. I think I was drinking every night. It was my form of self-destruction,” she said.
The star of Shakespeare in Love noted that now she barely drinks. “Usually, I almost never drink—maybe a glass once a week. At that time, the symptoms just got out of control. It was the first time I saw the connection so clearly,” Gwyneth explained.
In addition to anxiety, Paltrow faced sleep problems that started with the onset of menopause. “I used to sleep great,” she shared. “But then everything changed. I would wake up and feel anxiety take over. It was a new feeling for me. I had never experienced anything like it. I would lie in bed and recall every mistake I’d ever made, every emotion I’d ever hurt, every failed moment,” Paltrow confessed.
Despite all the difficulties, the actress believes it’s important not to hide the topic of menopause and actively talks about it with friends and followers. “I started asking my friends over dinner, ‘Is this happening to you too? Is this normal?'” said the Goop founder.
“Our beloved Los Angeles… We feel deep pain for our loved ones who lost everything,” Gwyneth wrote on social media during the height of the disaster. It was also a major blow for Jennifer Garner, who directed all her energy to helping those affected.
Angelina Jolie personally helped deliver food and essentials and sent her children to survival courses. Julia Roberts agreed to go on a date with a fan, becoming a lot at a charity auction.
From January 7 to 31, 2025, Southern California was ravaged by massive wildfires. The disaster claimed the lives of at least 29 people, and the number of evacuees exceeded 200,000.
