Martha Stewart isn't afraid of a little competition.
The 72-year-old lifestyle maven, whose taught us how to make sparkly holiday cards, one-pot wonder dishes, and other crafty creations, opened up in an interview with Bloomberg Television on Tuesday about Gwyneth Paltrow, 41, and her fledgling lifestyle site Goop, which launched in 2008.
When questioned about the Oscar winner's attempt to break into the lifestyle business, Martha dished, “I haven't eaten at Gwyneth's house, and I have never seen how she lives," Stewart noted. "But, if she's authentic, all the better — and I certainly hope she is. She really wants to be part of the lifestyle business."
She continued, "She's a charming, pretty person who has a feeling for lifestyle. She wants to be a lifestyle arbiter — fine. Good."
But while pursuing her Goop dreams, there's still one thing Gwynnie should remember about Martha: "I think I started this whole category of lifestyle," she boasted.
It's been a rough week for Gwyneth and her golden girl image. Vanity Fair is said to be working on a non-friendly cover story about Paltrow which the star reportedly has attempted to stop. Paltrow's clout doesn't seem to be what it once was, however. According to VF's editor-in-chief Graydon Carter, the magazine still plans to publish the piece.
Stewart may have started it, but will Gwyneth finish it? Let's compare and determine which of the lifestyle aficionados is really winning the Holly Homemaker competition.
Approximate Net Worth: Martha reigns supreme in this department and is reportedly worth $300 million. However, Gwyneth's take isn't too shabby. The actress has taken in around $140 million over the years.
Twitter Followers: Despite having youth on her side and a website to her name, Gwyneth isn't quite as popular in the Twitterverse as Martha. The "Iron Man" star has 1.7 million followers, while Stewart has 2.8 million.
Recipe Rundown: Pasta is one of the simplest dishes around (seriously, anyone can boil water), so it's no wonder both ladies regularly post recipes featuring noodles. Martha leans toward comforting concoctions like Spaghetti Carbonara made with "bacon, eggs, and Parmesan cheese," and even goes as far as adding "a little half-and-half for a silky texture." Paltrow boasts lighter fare on her site, such as her Brown Rice Spaghetti alla Puttanesca recipe, which she describes by saying the "flavorful tomato-based sauce with just a touch of oil coats the sticky noodles well, and the capers, olives and anchovies stand up to the taste of the brown rice pasta."
Their Lifestyle Site Pitch: Goop is a collection of "life's positives. From creating a delicious recipe to finding a perfect dress for spring, Gwyneth began curating the best of lifestyle to help her readers save time, simplify and feel inspired." Meanwhile, Martha says, "the joy is in the doing" on her website and says she seeks to "deliver tools that instruct and ideas that inspire."
Celebrity Besties: In her corner, Martha has Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds. (Not only are they neighbors, but she even planned their September 2012 wedding.) Meanwhile, the London-and-Los Angeles-dwelling Paltrow — who is married to Coldplay frontman Chris Martin — has so many celeb friends it's hard to keep them all straight. Some of her A-list pals include Beyoncé, Jay Z, and celeb chef Mario Batali.
Reading Room: Gwyneth has churned out "Notes From My Kitchen Table" and "It's All Good," while Martha's been writing books since 1982.
Awards and Honors: In addition to being a New York Times bestselling author, Stewart was inducted into the New Jersey Hall of Fame in 2011. However, her greatest accomplishment by far was her ability to work her way back into the hearts and homes of fans following her 2005 prison stint. As for Gwyneth, the actress is the proud owner of an Academy Award, Golden Globe Award, Emmy Award, and a SAG Award, to name a few.
Who Would Really Have Your Back in a Prison Fight: Hands down, Martha. Don't be fooled by her love of shimmery pants. Stewart is probably a lot scrappier than the Tracy Anderson-trained Paltrow! Plus, she's already spent some time in the slammer. (Though she was teaching her fellow inmates how to knit and cook, it still counts!)
So, who do you think wins this crafty showdown?
