Gwyneth Paltrow clarifies Goop luxury diaper sparking outrage is a PR stunt

Gwyneth Paltrow, American actress and founder of wellness company Goop, has revealed that the rumoured launch of Goop's luxury diaper is fake and was meant to address the issue of luxury tax on diapers in the US.  Goop first announced the launch of its luxury diaper, Diapér, on Wednesday across its social media channels. According to the post then, the disposable diapers are lined with virgin alpaca wool and fastened with amber gemstones, "known for their ancient emotional-cleansing properties". The diapers are also infused with a scent of jasmine and bergamot, the post said. The diapers were priced at US$120 for a pack of 12. 

https://www.facebook.com/goop/photos/a.470339686309520/5577868268889944

The post sparked outrage among netizens, who commented on the absurdity of the diaper's added bedazzlement and ridiculous pricing. Several users claimed that Paltrow was out of touch with the cost of diapers and parenting these days. One netizen said that Goop was "completely out of touch with [the] reality of 99.9999% of the world's population", while another said: "Such a privilege while most mothers are struggling just to feed their babies right now", in reference to the shortage of baby formula in the market. 

Meanwhile, other netizens initially thought that it was a joke but were not completely certain, given Paltrow's previous product launches. Goop has been known for the launch of controversial products, including jade and quartz “eggs” which Goop claimed could be used for vaginal health.

Paltrow then revealed on Goop's social channels yesterday that the Diapér was indeed fake. In a video message, she said that the product was "designed to piss us off" and shed a light on a real problem. She added:

If treating diapers like a luxury makes you mad, so should taxing them like a luxury.

https://www.facebook.com/goop/videos/3146631748910623/

Paltrow then urged viewers to donate to Baby2Baby, an American charity which provides diapers and other essential items to children living in poverty. After the video explanation, the tides turned and netizens praised Paltrow for her creative PR stunt, with several stating their relief at the product launch being fake. One netizen said: "That earlier post scared me for a minute. Glad to see it was for a great cause," while another added: "I genuinely thought someone at Goop had lost their 'Jade eggs' for a minute when I saw those Diapèrs!"