Apple Martin enjoyed a spin around the dancefloor with her parents at the Le Bal des Débutantes at the Shangri-La in Paris on Saturday.
The 20-year-old daughter of Goop founder Gwyneth Paltrow, 52, and Chris Martin, 47, looked sensational in a sky blue Valentino Haute Couture gown as she attended the ball on the arm of her dashing date Count Leo Henckel von Donnersmarck before letting loose with her parents.
The annual gathering invites young women from some of the prestigious – and wealthiest – families from Europe, Asia, Africa and the U.S. make their debut into society.
Apple looked sensational as she was twirled around by Coldplay frontman Chris – who looked every inch the doting father as he pulled her in close for a cuddle and a kiss on the cheek.
Gwyneth, who was clad in a sheer tulle gown with polka dot detailing, watched on proudly before sweeping Apple in for a cuddle.
Apple was in high demand on the evening, with her date Count Leo – who comes from Austro-Hungarian noble family House of Henckel von Donnersmarck – also taking her for a spin around the dance floor.
As is tradition, the debutants are paired up with a ‘cavalier’ who are often young men from similarly distinguished backgrounds, to make their grand entrance at the ball.
Leo is the son of film director Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck and Christiane Asschenfeldt, the first International Executive Director of Creative Commons.
He is the descendant of a large and noble Austro-German family who were central figures of the 2nd Industrial Revolution, spearheading technological innovations like mild steel puddling metal factories, three-high rolling mills and soda-pulping in Germany.
Aside from his family connections, little is known Apple’s date, who has just one Instagram post which he captioned ‘Paris and Rome’ showing a series of snaps captured in whimsical Marie Antoinette-esque homes.
Last year, Leo’s sister Countess Lara Cosima made her debut at the prestigious event.
Apple looked sensational in her glamorous frock which featured six tiers of silk plissé chiffon and was cinched Martin’s small waist with a black silk bow.
The dress, designed by Valentino’s Alessandro Michele, took 750 hours of hard work to complete.
The look was finished with a pair of strappy Valentino Garavani sandals.
In a pictorial for Vogue ahead of the annual gathering Apple had her long, blonde hair styled in straight layers, and her makeup looked natural with a peachy-pink lip.
The Vanderbilt University student has mostly kept out of the public eye, but has decided to begin a new chapter in her life.
‘This dress is giving gossip girl vibes,’ wrote one fan on Vogue’s Instagram page. Another thought ‘It’s giving Alice in Wonderland, love it!’
According to the publication, Paltrow was going to wear a gown from Valentino’s Spring 2025 collection.
In a post on her Instagram Stories, the Oscar winner shared a couple of snap of Apple, writing, ‘My beautiful daughter in @maisonvalentino.
Apple’s brother Moses, 18, and her dad were reported to be wearing custom tuxedos designed by Michele for them.
During the ball, many people were left shocked by Apple’s behavior after a clip emerged of her stealing the spotlight from another girl who was having her picture taken.
The other debutante was seen taking her turn posing for the camera when Apple appeared from behind and sashayed into the shot.
Posing with her hands on her hips, Apple edged her way into the frame – forcing the other girl out.
The debutante could do nothing but look on with an awkward laugh, as Apple proceeded to pout and pose for several photos.
Eventually, she finished and stepped out of the way – almost cutting off another debutante who is waiting for her turn for a picture in the process.
The move did not go down well on social media after the footage, taken by French outlet Paris Match, was shared on TikTok.
However, not everyone was bothered and some even suggested that the Martin and the other debutante know each other.
In fitting with tradition, each of the young women attending the event at the Hotel Shangri-La in Paris ‘presented’ at Le Bal will be accompanied by a young man, known as a chevalier.
Debutantes on the list of attendees include European royalty as well as the daughters of A-list celebrities. Ava Philippe, 25, the daughter of Oscar winner Reese Witherspoon and Ryan Philippe, attended in 2017. Emily in Paris star, Lily Collins, 35, made her debut in 2007.
It doesn’t cost anything for the young women and their families to attend the annual gathering.
Creator Ophélie Renouard invited her guests based on their appearance, intelligence, and family connections.
The event is billed as a charity fundraiser and will benefit two entities connected with children’s health, according to Hello!
Half the proceeds will go to the cardiology research unit ARCFA of Necker-Enfants Malades Hospital improves the quality of care for children with heart defects all over the world.
The other half goes to the Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital, which provides advanced pediatric care, with special emphasis on pediatric cardiovascular problems, childhood cancers, organ transplantation, complex breathing problems, genetic disorders, and challenges associated with premature birth.
In an interview last year Gwyneth, who is now married to TV producer Brad Falchuk, said Apple was an ‘amazing best friend’ who was ‘just so much fun to be with’.
‘It’s so wonderful having a daughter because you have this amazing best friend and we like to do the same stuff, and she’s so funny and she’s so smart,’ she said.
The Shakespeare In Love star also revealed Apple has a say in all the decisions involving her wellness lifestyle brand, Goop, which has sold products including coffee enemas.
‘I run everything by her,’ she has said. ‘I value her opinion so much, and she’s also such a product person.
‘My daughter has gotten so into clean, non-toxic beauty, vegan. So, she has really strong values running. It’s so nice that it aligns with the products that we already make.’
Gwyneth also spoke about her sense of pride for her daughter.
‘Apple is an adult woman now, so we relate to each other like that,’ said the actress.
‘Of course, I’m always her mama, and she comes to me for those things too. But it’s very interesting to really watch her step into herself as a grown woman.’
Gwyneth added of Apple and her brother Moses: ‘Whatever they want to do in life, I want to support.
‘I think there are challenges in any career – certainly there are challenges in being an artist, for sure. ‘But should they choose that path, I will of course support them.’
Discussing the differences in the siblings, she shared: ‘My children are similar in the ways that they’re both incredibly sensitive and empathetic. They really can feel people’s stuff very permeable in that way,’ said the Emma actress.
‘They’re both tall and they both have very interesting ways of seeing the world, and they’re different in the ways that they are.
‘My daughter’s very much of an extrovert. My son is an introvert. They like to do very different things, but then I don’t know, then they both love to snowboard and they both love music, and they love their friends.’
Yet Gwyneth revealed that Apple is more like her father.
‘I think Moses and I are more, we’re happy kind of being home and being more internal,’ she explained.
‘But I think they’ve both gotten, hopefully, the best of both of us, and hopefully we’ve been able to minimize our s***** traits having passed those down.’
She also said in the same People interview that Chris is a great father to their children.
‘He has this sweet child-like spirit, and I love that he will be like, “Let’s go jump in the ocean,when it’s 58 degrees”, or, “Let’s go to this weird guitar store.” He always wants to do these fun adventures with them and activities.’
The blonde told the magazine that dealing with her blended family with second husband of five years, TV producer Brad Falchuk, is not a walk in the park.