The Beauty, they say, is in the eye of the beholder, But after Gwyneth Paltrow was named the world’s most beautiful woman yesterday, some were only too ready to point out that they did not see eye to eye.
Miss Paltrow, 40, received a barrage of abuse on Twitter after being awarded the crown by US magazine People, which praised her ‘timeless look’.
She beat actresses Jennifer Lawrence, 22, and Amanda Seyfried, 27, to the top spot, and snatched the title from her best friend Beyonce, 31, who won last year.
But within hours of the award being announced, critics took to Twitter to attack the decision.
One remarked: ‘If Gwyneth Paltrow is the most beautiful woman in the world then I’m a ten times Olympic bobsled gold medallist and Top Gun fighter pilot.’
Another wrote: ‘So People magazine has declared Gwyneth Paltrow is the world’s most beautiful woman, I wonder how they decide this. Bunch of c**p.’
‘Gwyneth Paltrow’s publicist has not only earned his or her holiday bonus this year already but yours and mine as well,’ added a third. The comments come just a week after Miss Paltrow was voted one of the most hated celebrities in Hollywood in a poll by Star magazine.
She was accused of being arrogant and giving patronising advice on everything from cookery to how to dress. Clean-living Miss Paltrow, who is married to Coldplay singer Chris Martin, follows a rigorous diet and exercise regime to keep herself in shape.
But despite always appearing immaculate at red carpet events, she insists she spends most of her time lounging around in ‘baggy shorts’ with ‘frizzy hair’.
She said: ‘Around the house, I’m in jeans and a t-shirt. I don’t really wear make-up. That’s what [my family] are used to.
‘And Chris will make a joke about it. If I’ve gotten fully dressed up, he’ll be like, “Oh, wow! You’re Gwyneth Paltrow!” Because he’s used to seeing me in baggy shorts and frizzy hair.’
Describing her intensive fitness regime, which involves training five times a week with celebrity instructor Tracy Anderson, she added: ‘It makes me look younger and feel strong. It’s like brushing my teeth, I just do it.’
Hot on her heels: Jennifer Lawrence and Kerry Washington are among the other stars to feature on the list.