Gwyneth Paltrow's nepo baby Apple Martin breaks silence on 'really upsetting' criticism after 'mean girl' saga

Gwyneth Paltrow's daughter Apple Martin has broken her silence on the 'really upsetting' criticism she's received following last year's 'mean girl' drama.

The model, 20 — who is one of two children Oscar-winner Gwyneth shares with musician ex-husband Chris Martin — did so while speaking to Interview magazine about life as a Hollywood 'nepo baby.'

At one point, she was asked by Mel Ottenberg, editor-in-chief of Interview magazine, if she ever reads 'upsetting stuff' about herself on the internet.

In November 2024, Apple sparked controversy while attending the elite Le Bal des Débutantes in Paris after a clip of herself being a 'mean girl' at the ball went viral.

Apple, who was supported by her A-list parents at the invite-only event in November, was accused of 'stealing the spotlight' from another girl getting her picture taken.

While a source close to Gwyneth insisted that the moment was taken out of context, fans ruthlessly tore into Apple as the video circulated on TikTok and Instagram.

While Apple didn't specifically reference the debutante ball backlash in Wednesday's chat, she did call out the 'crazy conspiracies' that have circulated about her online.

She told Ottenberg that she has avoided looking at social media comments 'like the plague' since January 2023 when she made her Paris Fashion Week debut at Chanel.

'After the Chanel show, I did [read upsetting comments]. Then I quickly realized why everybody has always said, 'Don't do it.' Because even if you see a million positive things, there can be one thing that absolutely wrecks you,' the rising star explained.

Her attendance at the Chanel event received a mixed reaction online, with some praising Apple's 'model looks' and others slamming her as just another 'nepo baby.' 

She admitted that reading hateful things about herself has had a devastating impact on her mental well-being.

'So, I've stopped now and I avoid it like the plague, because I know myself and I know that if I see stuff that isn't true and that's really upsetting to me, I'm going to be like, 'Oh my god, I should never go out in public again.''

Now, Apple is focused on the positive and has learned to accept the downsides of being a public figure.

'I've tried to be like, 'People are going to say stuff, and that's okay,'' she said. 'And like everybody, there's going to be stuff that isn't true and stuff that is upsetting, and all I can do is just be the best that I can be and be with the people I love and not read random, crazy conspiracies.'

Le Bal des Débutantes, which took place at the Shangri-La in Paris, is an annual gathering that invites young women from some of the prestigious - and wealthiest - families from Europe, Asia, Africa and the U.S. to make their debut into society.

Apple wore 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, Gwyneth and Chris Martin, who divorced in 2016.

However, during the weekend, Apple became the target of 'mean girl' accusations after it appeared she was trying to steal the spotlight from fellow debutante Aliénor Loppin de Montmort in a viral video of the pair taking photos together.

In the clip, Montmort was seen taking her turn posing for the camera when Apple appeared from behind and sashayed into the shot. 

The backlash was so intense that Montmort came forward to defend Apple.

She insisted that Apple was the 'nicest girl ever' and that she didn't deserve 'an ounce of' the hate she was getting online.

Apple's mom Gwyneth recently broke her silence on the matter as she told Vanity Fair that her daughter has 'always had a lot of trepidation around being in the public eye.

Elsewhere in Apple's Interview chat, she provided rare insight into her life as a 20-year-old junior at the prestigious at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee.

Instead of sharing a dorm, Apple has luxury of living alone in an on-campus apartment. 

She revealed for the first time that she's studying law at the private institution, where tuition can cost upwards of $67,000 per semester.

'I'm a law, history, and society major, but I wish I would've taken—maybe I'll take a theater course before I leave. It's a fun balance between my very different extracurriculars and my major,' she shared.

Amid the political climate and crackdowns on college protests, Apple shared that it's been 'a little tense' on campus.

'People, including myself, are very scared, but that also means that everyone's coming together and talking about what's going on,' she said. 'But the vibe when I'm with my friends is so fun—that's the most important thing to me right now, just hanging out with them.'

She added: 'Just doing fun activities that take you out of the world. 

Apple said she is currently gearing up to star in a school musical as part of the Vanderbilt Original Cast, which she described as an 'esteemed cabaret theater group.' 

'This semester's show is a musical parody of Love Island called Love on an Island. It's so fun. The songs are phenomenal,' she teased.

When asked if she has dreams of becoming a film actress like her Oscar-winning mom, Apple admitted that she's more interested in theater.

'I would love to do theater because I adore it so much. I've obviously never done film before, but I've been trying to get involved in student films,' she said, adding: 'I was born a theater kid.'

As part of the Vanderbilt Original Cast, Apple has been able to showcase her unique singing abilities.

'I have a very low voice so whenever we're doing harmonies it'll be like, 'Alright, it's the boys and Apple,' she shared with a laugh. 'I'm singing my absolute favorite song ever this semester, which I'm so excited about.

'I'm definitely not the best in the org, but I love it.'