Hollywood always has its fair share of past relationships coming back into the spotlight, and this time, it’s Gwyneth Paltrow’s former romance with Donovan Leitch making headlines. Actress Ione Skye claims that during her brother’s brief relationship with Paltrow in the 1990s, the Oscar winner wasn’t exactly kind to him. She revisits these memories in her newly released memoir, “Say Everything.”
A Rocky Vacation With Paltrow
Skye paints a picture of an uncomfortable trip to Mexico shortly after the 1994 Northridge earthquake. She recalls feeling uneasy about traveling with her brother and his “intimidating” new girlfriend, but she chose to go along rather than endure the stress of aftershocks back home.
During the vacation, Leitch fell sick, which only made things worse. Skye remembers an interaction at breakfast where Leitch accidentally tipped over a glass of water, splashing Paltrow slightly. Instead of brushing it off, Paltrow snapped at him, calling him an “idiot.”
“With a laugh, but still,” Skye added in her book, implying that the comment stung more than it let on. She confronted her brother about it, asking if this was normal behavior from Paltrow. However, Leitch, smitten by his girlfriend, didn’t seem too bothered.
Young Love With Different Expectations
At the time, Leitch was 27, and according to Skye, he was already thinking about a future with Paltrow—marriage, kids, and a long-term relationship. Paltrow, on the other hand, was 21 and seemingly not in the same headspace.
“Six months later, she got cast in ‘Seven’ and flew to Reno to meet Brad Pitt,” Skye writes, hinting that her brother was more invested in the relationship than Paltrow was.
The relationship between Leitch and Paltrow lasted from 1993 to 1995, but it ultimately fizzled out. It was one of Paltrow’s early Hollywood romances, preceding her high-profile relationships with Pitt, Ben Affleck, and eventually Chris Martin.
No Bad Blood, Just A Memory
Despite calling out Paltrow’s behavior in her book, Skye insists she isn’t trying to tarnish the actress’s reputation. In a recent interview, she explained that they were young at the time, and what seemed like a big deal back then might not be as serious in hindsight.
“We thought we were grown-ups, but we were just kids,” she told People.
Skye even acknowledged Paltrow’s self-awareness, noting that the Goop founder has always been good at handling criticism. “She understands her world,” she said.
A Kiss That Raised Eyebrows Years Later
Interestingly, even after their breakup, Paltrow and Leitch remained on good terms. In 2013, they were spotted sharing a friendly kiss at a Los Angeles Dodgers game, sparking rumors. At the time, Paltrow was still married to Coldplay frontman Chris Martin.
Leitch dismissed any speculation of romance, insisting that it was an innocent moment. “We were sitting in the owner’s box in front of 30,000 people with her two children right next to us. That isn’t exactly the setting for a secret liaison,” he told the Daily Mail.
Life After Paltrow
Paltrow went on to marry Martin, with whom she shares two children, Apple and Moses. They announced their split in 2014, famously calling it a “conscious uncoupling.” Martin later began dating actress Dakota Johnson, while Paltrow married producer Brad Falchuk in 2018.
As for Leitch, he continued his career in acting and music, maintaining a relatively low profile compared to his A-list ex. While Skye’s memoir sheds light on a past relationship, it’s clear that everyone involved has long moved on.
