Several high-profile young women debuted at Le Bal Des Débutantes 2024 on Nov. 30, including Apple Martin, the daughter of actress and entrepreneur Gwyneth Paltrow and Coldplay frontman Chris Martin, and Lucia-Sofia Ponti, the lookalike granddaughter of Sophia Loren. The two joined a long list of celebrity children who’ve debuted at the annual international ball through the years.
Le Bal Des Débutantes was inaugurated in 1958 and featured roughly 50 debutantes. The ball came to a halt in 1968 due to the May ’68 worker uprising in Paris and was not held for several decades until its revival in 1992. The event became known for leaning into high-fashion individuality over the traditional white gowns and gloves of other historic debutante balls.
In the years since, the ball expanded and began hosting the annual event on the Saturday following American Thanksgiving. The ball also serves as a charity event, honoring a charitable organization each year.
The 2024 ball took place at the Shangri-La Hotel in Paris and benefited two causes: ARCFA or the Association of Cardiology Research from Fetus to Adults and the Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital in New York’s Hudson Valley.
Ahead, learn more about the famous young women who made their debut at Le Bal Des Débutantes.
Apple Martin
Apple Martin was joined by members of her family — including grandmother Blythe Danner, mother Gwyneth Paltrow, brother Moses Martin and father Chris Martin — for the 2024 Le Bal Des Débutantes on Nov. 30. Martin wore a custom Valentino gown courtesy of creative director Alessandro Michele.
The strapless blue gown featured a bow at the cinched waist, giving way to six plissé tiers. She also wore a pair of Valentino Garavani Ladycrush sandals.
Lori Harvey
Lori Harvey, the stepdaughter of Steve Harvey and daughter of his wife Marjorie, was presented at the 2017 Le Bal Des Debutantes. She wore a voluminous black gown with feather accents on the skirt from Elie Saab’s fall 2017 couture collection.
Sophie Kodjoe, the daughter of actor Boris Kodjoe and “And Just Like That…” star Nicole Ari Parker debuted in 2024 alongside Apple Martin. She wore a gown by Oscar de la Renta in a shade of burgundy.
Ava Phillippe
Ava Phillippe, whose parents are Reese Witherspoon and Ryan Phillippe, made her debutante debut as part of the class of 2017. She wore a gold Giambattista Valli Haute Couture gown.
Scout Willis made her debut at the ball in 2008. Her sister Tallulah also debuted at the ball three years later in 2011. Both Scout and Tallulah are the daughters of Bruce Willis and Demi Moore, along with Rumer Willis.
Billie Lourd
Billie Lourd, the daughter of late actress and “Star Wars” icon Carrie Fisher, attended Le Bal Des Debutantes in 2008. She wore a dress by Chanel.
“Emily in Paris” star Lily Collins debuted at the ball in 2007, wearing a white gown by Chanel. She’s the daughter of recording artist Phil Collins.
