Apple Martin Talks About Growing Up as a Celebrity Child and the Pressure of Living in a ‘Surveillance State’

Apple Martin, the 20-year-old daughter of actress Gwyneth Paltrow and Coldplay frontman Chris Martin, has opened up about the struggles of growing up under the constant scrutiny of the public eye. In a candid conversation on the Sibling Revelry podcast, hosted by Kate and Oliver Hudson, Apple shared how being a celebrity child impacted her mental health and how she dealt with the pressures of fame.

Apple admitted that growing up as the child of two high-profile celebrities made her feel like she was living in a “surveillance state.” She explained that while she enjoyed many normal childhood experiences, she was constantly bombarded with attention, especially when she was out in public with her mother. “I was very anxious about making mistakes,” she shared. “I grew up with that uneven balance of getting out of the airport with my mom and being bombarded with cameras, and then just being a normal kid.”

Apple went on to describe her feelings about her mother’s fame, recalling how it made her uncomfortable at times. She also mentioned that she had been discouraged from doing anything in the public eye and had often wished to avoid the celebrity spotlight. “I don’t think we need another celebrity child in the world,” she said.

Despite the difficulties, Apple has learned to embrace a more private life, away from the glare of the public eye. “I just try to do what feels right and block out anything regarding me in the news to the best of my ability,” she said. “I’m getting a lot better at being, like, ‘F— it.’ I’m not going to be scared. I just want to do what seems fun and figure my life out.”

Apple also shared a rare look into her family dynamics and her thoughts on her mother’s personal life. “My mom’s struggling with being an empty nester,” Apple said, noting how her mother had to adjust to a quieter home with both of her children now grown and living elsewhere. “It’s evolving. It’s interesting,” she added.

Gwyneth Paltrow, who stepped away from more serious acting roles after Apple was born, has focused on being a mother and working on her business ventures, such as her Goop wellness brand. “I really stepped away from acting when Apple was born,” Paltrow said in a previous interview. “Everything felt redefined for me, and I thought, ‘I’m not sure that I want to do this so much as a career.’”

Despite the challenges of growing up in the spotlight, Apple Martin has managed to carve out a successful career as a model, while also maintaining a healthy distance from the fame that came with her parents. As she continues to navigate life in her 20s, she’s determined to define her own path and live authentically.