French Debutante in Viral Apple Martin Video Speaks Out About 'Mean Girl' Accusations (Exclusive)

"She really doesn’t deserve an ounce of what she’s getting,” fellow debutante, Aliénor Loppin de Montmort, tells PEOPLE

Apple Martin has faced an influx of criticism following a viral video of her and another young woman at their debutante ball.

But since the critiques, fellow debutante, Aliénor Loppin de Montmort, is defending her in a new statement to PEOPLE, calling Apple, 20, “the nicest girl ever.” Apple is the first child of actress Gwyneth Paltrow and Coldplay frontman Chris Martin. Paltrow and Martin also share a son, Moses, 18.

Apple appeared at the esteemed Le Bal des Débutantes on Saturday, Nov. 30, at the Hotel Shangri-La in Paris. She was one of 20 young women to make their high society debut at the annual fashion event, which introduces a small group of women between the ages of 16 and 22 into society. Previous years featured Lily Collins and Margaret Qualley as women to make their debut. 

After the event, Paris Match posted a video of Apple and Loppin de Montmort to TikTok. In the video, Loppin de Montmort poses for her photo, and then Apple jokingly steps in and confidently poses for the various cameras. Quickly, it sparked conversations about her behavior, with social media users calling Apple a “mean girl.”

But PEOPLE spoke exclusively with Loppin de Montmort, who confirmed the comments are incorrect. 

“[Apple’s] genuinely the nicest girl ever! She really doesn’t deserve an ounce of what she’s getting,” Loppin de Montmort said.

“She was the nicest girl ever towards not only me but all the debs!" 

Gwyneth Paltrow, Apple Martin, Instagram
Gwyneth Paltrow and Apple Martin on Nov. 30, 2024 in Paris.

Gwyneth Paltrow/Instagram 

At the event, Apple wore a custom Valentino gown, which Vogue reports took Valentino Creative Director Alessandro Michele’s atelier 750 hours to make. She is also the first Le Bal attendee to wear a custom Michele gown.

The strapless blue piece was “fashioned in six dégradé tiers of silk plissé chiffon, cinched at the waist with a black silk bow” and paired with matching blue Valentino sandals, per Vogue.

Along with Apple, her parents and brother also wore Valentino outfits to the event. Chris, 47, and Moses donned custom Valentino tuxedos. Gwyneth, 52, wore a black gown from Valentino’s spring 2025 collection. It featured a sheer overlay and delicate white polka dots. The long sleeves, skirt, and high neck were covered in ruffles that complemented Apple's ruffled dress and black bow detail.

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Gwyneth Paltrow, Moses Martin, Blythe Danner, Chris Martin, Instagram
Gwyneth Paltrow, Moses Martin, Blythe Danner and Chris Martin on Nov. 30, 2024 in Paris.

Gwyneth Paltrow/Instagram 

Gwyneth shared her maternal pride, posting color and black-and-white photos of Apple in Michele’s creation on her Instagram Stories.

“My beautiful daughter in @maisonvalentino,” Gwyneth wrote.

On Dec. 2, she also posted an Instagram carousel, including videos and photos of Apple, Moses, Chris and her mother, actress Blythe Danner, at the Nov. 30 event.

“A special long weekend in Paris 💙,” she captioned the post.

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