Apple Martin sets the record straight on viral bullying claims

Apple Martin set the record straight on the pervasive rumors about her high school experience that began swirling in late 2024 after she made her debut at Le Bal des Débutantes in Paris.

After a clip of her jumping into a fellow debutante’s photoshoot went viral, the blonde beauty was accused of being a bully, with many claiming that her bad behavior began when she was a teenager and got her expelled from school.

“Just a quick little message from myself,” Apple shared in an Instagram story on Monday, as she hit back at the bullying claims. “Hi! I didn’t wanna respond, but this narrative is completely false and has gotten so out of hand,” she wrote. “I have never been expelled from any school, especially not for bullying anyone.”

“I completely understand [people] not liking me, and that is okay! The internet is a place where [people can share their opinions,” she continued. “But this rumor is completely untrue, I am not that type of person, and anyone who is close to me knows that.”

The 21-year-old initially responded to the rumors in 2024 with a TikTok video that saw her and her friends lip-syncing to a soundbite.

“I don’t know how anyone has a problem with us. We are such a delight,” they mouthed. “We are two of the funniest girls, and I know us, like, offline. When I tell you, there aren’t two more caring, charitable, generous, kind…”

© Le Bal / Borde / Moreau / Bestimage

The debutante that many believed had been victimized by Apple, Aliénor Loppin de Montmort, quickly spoke out in her defence, telling People: “[Apple’s] genuinely the nicest girl ever! She really doesn’t deserve an ounce of what she’s getting. She was the nicest girl ever towards not only me but all the debs!”

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Apple’s mother, Gwyneth Paltrow, previously shared her concerns for the Vanderbilt University student, after she sang her single “Satellites” onstage in Nashville in October and received a wave of backlash online for her perceived “nepo baby” status.

“It’s crazy because she just really was singing with a college band, with some friends of hers,” Gwyneth explained to Access Hollywood. “And of course, because she’s her, it sort of went all over the news.”

© Variety via Getty Images

“I think there will be really amazing opportunities provided to both my kids because they’re talented, and they’re really good people, but there also will be quite a lot of hurdles and pitfalls to avoid,” she continued, also referring to her son, Moses. “And as a mother, I think I’m very realistic about the road ahead, but the world needs artists. So I’m very proud of them.” 

© @gwynethpaltrow

Apple is currently studying law, history and society at Vanderbilt, yet her previous plans of attending law school have been put aside for her dream of being an actress. “I was in that rebellious, ‘I don’t wanna be like my parents’ type of phase,” she told Vogue of her law school plans.

“I don’t wanna be a singer,” she added. “I like musical theater, but getting onstage by yourself to sing is so terrifying. I love dancing, and I love acting. My dream is to act.”