Watch CBS News

Gwyneth Paltrow: I'm trying to be "best version of myself"

Paltrow joins “CBS This Morning” to discuss her new venture and book
Gwyneth Paltrow on new cookbook, family and goop growth 08:08

You may know Gwyneth Paltrow best as an actress, for her roles in Hollywood blockbusters like "Emma," "The Royal Tenenbaums" and "Iron Man."

But now, she is spending "100 percent" of her time as an entrepreneur of her lifestyle band, "goop."

Launched eight years ago, the company covers food, travel, fashion, fitness and its recently-added skin care line.

If that doesn't seem enough, Paltrow is also launching her own publishing imprint, "goop press," and third cookbook, "It's All Easy: Delicious Weekday Recipes for the Super-Busy Home Cook."

The New York Times best-seller said her cookbooks were inspired by friends who wanted something delicious and quick.

"I think it's a sort of idea when you step into the kitchen, of letting go of 'this has to be perfect,'" Paltrow told "CBS This Morning" Wednesday. "Giving yourself that sense of ease doesn't have to be complicated."

She dedicated her book to her children, and those of her closest friends, including Blue Ivy, the daughter of Beyonce and Jay-Z.

Paltrow's successful company also began in the kitchen, almost "as an accident," when she was taking a break from acting and spending time with her children.

"I was ruminating on my life and looking at all my travel notes and recipes," Paltrow said. "And my friends always called me and said, 'Where should I eat in this city, and where should I go here and there?' Really, it was just going to be a private database for my friends and it turned into a private business."

As for her returning to the big screen, the Oscar- and Emmy-winning actress said while she is still an artist and actress at heart, now is not the time.

"Sometimes I look at doing something smaller and interesting but right at this particular juncture, it's hard... we're growing... so quickly and I need to really concentrate on scaling the business, but I'll go back to it," Paltrow said.

Paltrow's 2014 split from Coldplay frontman Chris Martin also generated a lot of buzz, especially because she chose to call it "conscious uncoupling" as opposed to divorce, when she famously announced it on her company website. Rather than remain on sour terms, the duo have concentrated more on maintaining a familial relationship for the sake of their children, 11-year-old Apple and 10-year-old Moses.

While she admitted it was hard, she stressed the need to "let go of resentment and hurt" and putting the children first.

2009: Chris Martin on Gwyneth Paltrow, privacy 03:49

"It's restraint and then you just try to reconnect with love and forgiveness and why you fell in love with the person and what's wonderful about them, and use that as a way to strengthen the friendship and maintain the family structure," Paltrow explained.

Paltrow also recently took her children to Argentina to watch their father's concert.

"I really try to support Chris in his incredible career and bring the children," Paltrow said. "I want them to see me celebrate their dad."

The actress, entrepreneur, and single mom of two has a lot on her plate, but said she tries to be the "best version of myself."

"I make tons of mistakes, I probably really am not what people think I am. I'm a real human person. I'm very flawed, but I do try to do my best," Paltrow said.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.