Apple Martin Defends Herself Against ‘Nepo Baby’ Claims: ‘My Parents Make Me Work’

Gwyneth Paltrow and Chris Martin’s daughter Apple has hit back at claims she’s an ‘entitled’ nepo baby after landing a high-profile new fashion campaign.

The model, 21, has been carving out a fashion career while studying for a degree at Vanderbilt University, but due to her famous heritage has faced claims she’s only landing work because of her famous connections.

Following the release of her new campaign with Self Portrait, Apple has now insisted her parents have ‘instilled’ a work mentality in her, and she knows her life is not a ‘normal way to grow up.’

The budding model, has already walked in the Chanel couture show at Paris Fashion Week and posed alongside her famous mother in a campaign for GapStudio.

Discussing how she juggles her fashion work with her studies, Apple said: ‘I know this is not a normal way to grow up by any means. 

‘But my parents did a really good job of instilling in me that I shouldn’t be entitled to anything. I have to work.’

Indeed, Apple’s father Chris shared back in 2020 that his daughter had landed her first job in a clothes shop.  

He said at the time: ‘It’s her first job, and she’s about to be 16 and she’s making her way in the world and I’m so proud of her.’ 

Apple went on to tell The Daily Telegraph that despite her modelling career, she’s still trying to have a ‘normal college experience,’ while studying law, history and society.

Asked how she stays grounded, Apple added: ‘Hanging out with my friends and trying to have a normal college experience makes me feel more normal.

‘That’s how I like to unwind. We’ll sit down and do little guitar playing sessions, one person will play and the others will sing. I also love watching reality TV with my friends. There was one day we spent five hours on the couch and just watched old episodes of America’s Next Top Model.’

On Tuesday, Apple was unveiled as the new brand ambassador for Self Portrait as she posed for her debut shoot with the brand.

Styled by Mel Ottenberg, Apple wore pieces from the brand’s latest ready-to-wear collection, including a white lace and satin maxi dress and a silver gradient sequinned dress.

She said: ‘Debuting with self-portrait was a no-brainer – their British spirit reminds me of growing up in London, so it’s felt like home from the start.

‘Plus, the collections are gorge and approachable! Han and the team welcomed me in as part of the creative process and I am having a lot of fun learning along the way.

‘I’m so excited for this campaign to be out in the world and for us to continue exploring this side of my creativity together.’

Earlier this month, Martin appeared alongside her famous mother as the new face of GapStudio.

She first made her foray into the fashion world back in 2023 when she debuted on the runway for Chanel’s haute couture show at Paris Fashion Week.

Apple’s collaboration with the brand was first revealed last month, and fans were quick to complain that she landed the gig thanks to her high-profile connections.

‘THIS is nepotism gone bad,’ one wrote.

‘Oh thank goodness, I was so worried another one of Hollywood’s finest children might not land a super cushy job with no talent to validate the achievement. All is well in the world now,’ one sarcastic commenter chimed in. 

‘Yikes,’ one posted. ‘how is this chick the face of anything? Must be nice to be a nepo baby with no talent.’

Some loved the collaboration as they wrote online: ‘This is excellent’; ‘She is so pretty’; and, ‘Oh, she’s perfect.’

Another claimed the college student was only getting attention because of her parents: ‘if she weren’t Gwyneth Paltrow’s daughter, no one would pay any attention to her.’ 

‘I’m shocked. A celebrity’s child who wants to be a model,’ one commented. 

Apple is currently a college junior at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee, and she was pictured out and about in the city last month.

‘Apple is loving college life, it is a great fit for her and offers her so much as far as academics and a sense of community,’ a friend told the Daily Mail. 

‘She has really taken to the lifestyle and has made a lot of new friends, which is important to her. She certainly is thriving in Nashville.’

‘I’m a law, history, and society major but […] maybe I’ll take a theater course before I leave,’ Apple revealed to Interview magazine in April.

‘It’s really busy because after spring break I have tech week and I have to get everyone’s costumes ready for the show,’ she added.

She has also been enjoying the ambience of her college: ‘Vibes are great, honestly. It’s so much easier for me to get out of bed and walk to class when it’s pretty outside. Um, yeah,’ she said. 

Apple also shared that she’s following in her mother Gwyneth’s footsteps by working on a show while at the university. 

She said: ‘Oh my god, so – I’m in the lovely Vanderbilt Original Cast, the 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.’ 

Vanderbilt University is a private research university in Nashville which was founded in 1873. It was named in honor of shipping and railroad magnate Cornelius Vanderbilt. 

Apple also celebrated her 21st birthday in May, and marked the milestone with a glitzy ‘debutante’ coming-of-age ball back in December.

The high society affair was held in Paris at the $1,000-a-night Hotel Shangri-La, and Apple was joined by handsome date Count Leo Henckel von Donnersmarck, who hails from Austro-Hungarian nobility.

Apple’s proud parents were also in attendance, as was her brother Moses, who is now 19.