31st March 2023, Mumbai: When questioned about the singer during her ongoing ski accident trial, Gwyneth Paltrow opened up about her and Taylor Swift’s bond.
As a result of Terry Sanderson, a 76-year-old retired ophthalmologist, suing Paltrow for allegedly colliding with him and injuring him in a 2016 skiing accident, Paltrow has been in court since March 21. In a counterclaim for $1 plus attorney expenses, Paltrow is suing Sanderson for $300,000 in damages. Paltrow’s friendship with Swift came under scrutiny while she was testifying on the fourth day of the trial, which was held on Friday, March 24.
Sanderson’s attorney Kristin VanOrman questioned the Goop founder on multiple occasions over the $1 in “symbolic” damages she was countersuing for. After Swift triumphed in a 2017 sexual assault trial against former DJ David Mueller and was granted her demanded $1 in damages, VanOrman questioned where the 50-year-old actor got the notion to countersue for $1 from.
Paltrow answered, “I guess I said that point that I had not been familiar with it, but I since am,” in response to VanOrman’s initial enquiry about her knowledge of Swift’s trial.
VanOrman asked the actor if she was “good friends” with Swift after Paltrow reiterated that she was not previously “informed” of the singer’s trial. Paltrow said, “No,” when VanOrman re-asked her if she was pals with the “Anti-Hero” singer. “I wouldn’t say we have a close friendship. We are amiable. Though we don’t communicate very often, I’ve previously brought my kids to one of her shows.”
“You’ve never sent Ms. Swift specific, intimate gifts for Christmas?” VanOrman then asked Paltrow about her friendship with Swift, making reference to Goop’s holiday gift list from December 2021, in which Paltrow packed many presents for various celebs, including Swift.
Sanderson alleged in court papers that Paltrow “skied out of control” and struck him from behind while they were on the beginning slopes at Deer Valley Resort in Park City, Utah. He claimed that the collision left him “knocked down hard, knocked unconscious, and caused a brain injury, four fractured ribs, and other major injuries.”
Eyewitness Craig Ramon, who testified on the first day of the trial, supported Sanderson’s testimony in court by stating that he seen a skier “crash into the back of Terry” after hearing a scream. After the crash, he claimed, she fled the scene without signalling for assistance or identifying herself.
In an earlier statement, Paltrow called Sanderon’s lawsuit a “effort to exploit her notoriety and fortune.” As soon as the actor was asked to testify, she refuted charges that she was to blame for the mishap, saying, “Mr. Sanderson clearly hit me on the ski slope and that is the truth.”
Two physicians and one of Sanderon’s daughters had previously testified during the trial. As the trial unfolds, it is anticipated that in addition to her husband, Brad Falchuk, Paltrow’s two children, Moses and Apple, will also be summoned to the witness stand.