The case concerns a skiing accident in 2016 in which both parties claim to have caused the fall.
Months after actors Amber Heard and Johnny Depp’s sensational trial had the world glued to their phones, another Hollywood actor’s soap opera trial is making headlines. In a week, the case has produced startling contradictions and emotional testimonies about a 2016 skiing accident involving Oscar-winning actress Gwyneth Paltrow.
Here’s what has happened so far:
The case relates to a skiing accident in 2016 in which both parties, namely Ms Paltrow and 76-year-old Terry Sanderson, claim the other caused the accident. Mr Sanderson claims he suffered a permanent brain injury and four broken ribs as a result of the accident and is suing Ms Paltrow for $300,000.
Terry Sanderson claims he suffered a permanent brain injury and four broken ribs as a result of the accident.
For a “token” dollar and attorneys’ fees that could total thousands of dollars, Gwyneth Paltrow is countersuing Mr. Sanderson. Ms Paltrow was questioned in court about whether she was “good friends with Taylor Swift” and whether the damages she was seeking was inspired by a 2017 sexual assault case involving Ms Swift, in which she sought US$1 in damages -dollars demanded.
When asked whether or not the damages she was seeking were symbolic, Ms Paltrow admitted it was. “It’s symbolic because the damage would actually be greater,” she said, before adding that his lawsuit was an “attempt to take advantage of her celebrity and wealth.”
On the second day of the trial, it was found that a camera placed directly in front of Ms. Paltrow and her attorney violated court etiquette. The judge said: “I consider this a violation and have asked that the reporter be informed that this is now interrupting our proceedings. If it happens again, the reporter will be asked to leave.”
In her version of the incident, Ms Paltrow said she initially thought she was being sexually assaulted, adding that it felt like they were “spooning” as the two fell to the ground.
Ms. Paltrow’s style in the courtroom was a focus of the trial, with several outfits featuring parts of her own brand.
Mr Sanderson and his lawyers have offered an alternative account, claiming that the Goop founder was “out of control”. Ms Paltrow denied ever engaging in “risky behavior” that she was previously familiar with on a ski slope.
After an eyewitness was called in with a different account of the crash than Ms Paltrow, she questioned the witness’ accuracy and insisted she was the one who was hit.
In a tearful statement, Mr Sanderson’s daughter claimed the accident caused a “personality change” in her father, citing an exchange between him and his granddaughter in which he “put down” her while she was trying to close a car door .
Aside from the differing testimonies and heated exchanges, Ms Paltrow’s style in the courtroom was a focus of the trial, with several outfits featuring pieces of her own brand. She used a $250 blue leather notebook to hide her face from cameras.
Ms Paltrow used a $250 blue leather notebook to hide her face from cameras.
The trial will continue on Monday with Mr Sanderson scheduled to testify. Ms Paltrow’s team is also expected to bring in medical experts, ski instructors and their two children, Moses, 16, and Apple, 18.