Apple Martin’s fellow debutante comes to her defense after viral video sparks 'mean girl' accusations

PARIS, FRANCE: Apple Martin, the 20-year-old daughter of Gwyneth Paltrow and Chris Martin, found herself at the center of online scrutiny after a video of her at the prestigious Le Bal des Debutantes in Paris went viral.

The clip, shared by Paris Match, shows Apple playfully stepping in front of her fellow debutante, Alienor Loppin de Montmort, during a photo session.

While some viewers criticized Apple’s actions as “mean girl” behavior, Loppin de Montmort has come to her defense, dismissing the accusations.

Apple Martin's fellow debutante denies viral claims

In an exclusive statement to PEOPLE, Loppin de Montmort described Apple as “the nicest girl ever", adding, “She doesn’t deserve an ounce of what she’s getting. She was kind not just to me but to all the debutantes.”

The event, held on November 30 at the Hotel Shangri-La, marked Apple’s high society debut. She dazzled in a custom Valentino gown - a masterpiece that took over 750 hours to create under the direction of Valentino creative director Alessandro Michele.

The stunning strapless blue dress featured six tiers of silk plisse chiffon and a black silk bow at the waist, paired with matching Valentino sandals.

Apple wasn’t the only Martin family member making a fashion statement. Her parents and brother Moses, 18, all wore Valentino creations. Gwyneth Paltrow donned a romantic black gown from Valentino’s Spring 2025 collection, while Chris Martin and Moses sported sleek custom tuxedos.

Paltrow shared her pride on Instagram, posting a series of photos and videos from the evening. “My beautiful daughter in @maisonvalentino,” she wrote on her Instagram Story, later sharing a carousel captioned, “A special long weekend in Paris 💙.”

Apple Martin’s viral eye roll sparked debate during Paris debutante ball

Apple Martin was accompanied by her cavalier, Count Leo Henckel von Donnersmarck, a 19-year-old Columbia University student.

In a now-viral TikTok clip, Donnersmarck playfully mimics dance moves while leading Apple to the ballroom. However, it’s Apple’s subtle reaction — a brief eye roll — that has captured the Internet’s attention. The moment, paired with her calm composure as she continued walking to pose for photos, sparked debate online, with some interpreting it as lighthearted while others deemed it dismissive.

This isn’t the first time Apple’s actions at the ball have drawn public scrutiny. Earlier, she faced criticism for “stealing the spotlight” during fellow debutante Alienor Loppin de Montmort’s photo session, though Loppin de Montmort later defended her, calling Apple “the nicest girl ever.”

Wearing a custom Valentino gown crafted with over 750 hours of work, she joined 19 other young women making their high society debuts. The annual event introduces elite women aged 16 to 22 into aristocratic circles, featuring traditions like ballroom dancing alongside their dashing partners.