Sophia Loren’s Lookalike Granddaughter Stuns the World at 18
The 18-year-old granddaughter of Sophia Loren, who was named after her famous grandmother, made a stunning appearance at the 2024 Le Bal des Débutantes in Paris as an honorary debutante.
Lucia Sofia Ponti joined about 20 young women aged 16 to 22 at the event to be formally introduced to society. Fans immediately noticed how much Lucia resembles her legendary grandmother, Sophia Loren.
Lucia, the daughter of Sasha Alexander and Edoardo Ponti, dazzled in a beautiful Giorgio Armani Privé gown at the ball on November 30, 2024. Her strapless dress had a pleated A-line skirt with cream and charcoal gray stripes, detailed with lace and beaded accents.
During the event at the Shangri-La Hotel in Paris, Lucia shared a sweet moment with her father, Edoardo, on the dance floor. He spun her around and held her close, creating a touching father-daughter memory.
Lucia also posed with Princess Eugenia de Borbón and Apple Martin in a striking group photo. Eugenia is the daughter of HRH Prince Louis Alfonso, the Legitimist pretender to the French throne, and Apple is the daughter of Gwyneth Paltrow and Chris Martin.
Lucia’s mother, Sasha Alexander, shared photos from the event and fondly remembered a childhood moment with Lucia. Sasha joked in her caption, “When Lucia was little and we told her to ‘act like a lady,’ she would get mad and say, ‘I ain’t no lady.’ Watching her at @lebal.paris, I kept thinking about that face.”
Fans praised Lucia’s beauty and grace, often comparing her to Sophia Loren. One admirer said, “She’s stunning and WOW!” Another wrote, “Your baby girl is all grown up!” Fans loved the resemblance, with one saying, “She looks like her grandmother Sophia.”
Lucia, now studying English and art history at Brown University, shared how her grandmother inspired her style. “My grandmother always taught me the importance of timeless elegance and being true to yourself,” she said. She explained that Sophia’s wardrobe was filled with meaningful pieces that told a story, a philosophy Lucia embraces in her own fashion choices.
Lucia said she admired the dresses worn by other debutantes in past years and hoped to find a gown that reflected her own identity. She succeeded, as fans adored her choice and how well it suited her.
Lucia also spoke about her close relationship with Sophia. Despite living far apart, they visit each other often in Los Angeles and Geneva. Lucia admires her grandmother’s authenticity and resilience, qualities she finds deeply inspiring.
Growing up, Lucia was fascinated by the glamour Sophia brought into their home during visits. She would put on Sophia’s hairpieces and jewelry, playfully doing “fashion shows” for her family.
Although Lucia chose not to wear Sophia’s jewelry to the debutante ball, she carried her grandmother’s advice to always be herself. This wisdom, along with Sophia’s example of perseverance, continues to guide Lucia in her journey.
Lucia reflected on how meaningful the debutante ball was, especially since it supports charities like ARCFA and the Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital. With 14 years of dance experience, she was particularly excited about performing the waltz, which she described as a dream-like experience. Lucia shone brightly during her dance with her father, embodying elegance and joy.
