Gwyneth Paltrow says Apple Martin may follow in her footsteps after joint GapStudio campaign

Gwyneth Paltrow, 53, says her daughter Apple Martin, 21, could follow in her footsteps as the pair recently teamed for a GapStudio campaign. The actress and businesswoman notes that Apple is studying at Vanderbilt University, where she has pursued a pre-law track while exploring acting and music on the side. Apple has described her college experience as a broad liberal arts path, including a focus on law, history and society, and she has said she is part of Vanderbilt’s Original Cast, a cabaret theater group that performs musical numbers. Paltrow indicated she believes Apple will eventually pursue a career in entertainment, while stressing that Apple should chart her own path rather than being steered by parental expectations.

Apple has been building her own modeling résumé in recent months, stepping into higher-profile campaigns and continuing to cultivate her public presence. Earlier this year she joined her mother for a GapStudio campaign, a collaboration that drew attention because of the family’s prominence in film and music. Following that effort, Apple expanded into the fashion world with a shoot for Self-Portrait, the London-based label, described by the brand as featuring the model in pieces from its latest ready-to-wear collection. The Self-Portrait project marked Apple’s rise as an ambassador for the brand, with a shoot captured on a farm in upstate New York by renowned photographer Ryan McGinley and styled by Mel Ottenberg. Apple wore a series of looks that showcased the label’s romantic, modern silhouettes, including a white lace and satin maxi dress and a silver gradient sequined dress. The campaign was framed by a sense of British-informed aesthetics, which Apple said felt familiar and welcoming, a sentiment she attributed to the label’s design language and its creative team. [Image inserted here]

In addition to modeling, Apple has moved into music, a path that has drawn public scrutiny at times. In October, she performed onstage with the Nashville duo Jade Street at Cannery Hall, a moment that was shared widely on social media. Viewers offered a mix of praise and critique, with some commenters questioning the role of nepotism in her career and others expressing support for her willingness to try new creative avenues. The online conversation touched on broader questions about how children of famous artists navigate careers in entertainment, with many noting that Apple is navigating multiple disciplines at a young age while also pursuing a college education. The discussion highlighted the ongoing conversation about how privilege affects opportunities in the arts, even as Apple continues to balance acting, modeling and music with her studies.

Apple is the eldest child of Gwyneth Paltrow and Coldplay frontman Chris Martin, and she has a younger brother, Moses, who is 19. The two famous parents have both built influential careers across film, music and business, shaping Apple’s public profile from a young age. Apple’s foray into modeling has included high-profile appearances alongside her mother, and the Self-Portrait campaign, in particular, signals a strategic alignment with a younger, fashion-forward audience that appreciates the label’s reputation for accessible luxury. While some critics have raised concerns about nepotism, supporters point to Apple’s ongoing education and diverse interests as evidence of her commitment to forging her own path. As Apple continues her studies at Vanderbilt and explores opportunities in acting and music, observers will watch how she balances family legacy with personal artistic development, a balance that her mother says she respects and supports.

Overall, the public narrative around Apple remains a broader conversation about how the children of famous artists navigate the pressures and opportunities of growing up in the spotlight. The GapStudio collaboration and Self-Portrait ambassador role add to a growing portfolio, while her ongoing studies remind audiences that she is pursuing a multi-faceted, self-directed career. Gwyneth Paltrow’s public comments reflect a belief that Apple may eventually carve out a recognized role in entertainment, even as the younger generation experiments with different creative disciplines and builds a name beyond her family name.