Apple Martin, daughter of Gwyneth Paltrow and Chris Martin, faces backlash after surprise performance with Jade Street

Apple Martin faces fierce backlash after Nashville debut, as critics slam her singing and call out nepotism

Apple Martin, the daughter of Gwyneth Paltrow and Coldplay frontman Chris Martin, is at the centre of a heated online debate after her surprise onstage performance in Nashville drew scathing reviews from viewers. The 21-year-old joined the local band Jade Street for an impromptu set at Cannery Hall, and while her famous parents have music and film royalty status, many fans aren’t convinced Apple inherited their talents.

Clips from the show quickly spread across TikTok, where commenters labelled her vocals “painful” and “not her calling”. One user wrote, “The apple does fall far from the tree,” while another quipped, “Sorry but she needs to leave the singing to her dad.” Others called her performance “karaoke at best”, while one viral comment bluntly declared, “Nepotism has killed art.”

The wave of mockery, however, wasn’t entirely one-sided. Some fans defended Apple, saying the crowd was overly harsh on a young performer simply trying something new. “She wasn’t bad y’all could chill,” wrote one supporter, while another noted, “I really don’t hate it.”

Apple, who is currently studying law, history and society at Vanderbilt University, seemed unfazed by the controversy, responding to the band’s post with a trio of otter emojis. Her collaboration with Jade Street is part of a broader music debut, as the group’s upcoming single ‘Satellite’ featuring Apple is set to release on 28 October.

The backlash reignited the ongoing discussion around celebrity children pursuing entertainment careers. Many critics argue that such opportunities come from privilege rather than ability, pointing to Apple’s polished image and famous lineage as a fast track into the spotlight.

Still, those close to her maintain she’s grounded despite her upbringing. In past interviews, Paltrow described her children as “lovely and unassuming”, even as they grew up under constant public scrutiny. Whether Apple’s singing career will rise or fade remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: her Nashville debut has already left the internet divided.