Angela Bassett was one proud mom indeed on 29 November when her daughter, 19-year-old Bronwyn Vance, stole the show at the prestigious Le Bal des Debutantes, the debutante ball held annually in Paris.
The Black Panther actress, 67, made an appearance at the chosen venue for the occasion, the luxurious Shangri-La hotel in Paris, in a glorious silver sequinned gown by Jenny Packham. Her look featured a corseted bodice and strapless neckline, as well as a floor-grazing skirt.
© Le Bal / Borde / Moreau / BestimageThe actress was in full celebration mode, having witnessed her daughter's arrival in a showstopping Stephane Rolland haute couture gown, taking to the dance floor after the formality of the dinner and debutante-father dance with her husband, fellow actor Courtney B. Vance.
© Le Bal / Borde / Moreau / BestimageAngela's proud night at Le Bal
Angela couldn't have looked more pleased to be there, as the occasion was a true family affair. The star witnessed her daughter make her formal entry into society on the arm of her cavalier, her twin brother, Slater.
© Le Bal / Borde / Moreau / BestimageWith two Hollywood star parents, Bronwyn (pictured second from far right) is no stranger to a camera. However, behind the scenes of her Le Bal debut prep, Bronwyn has not long moved 5000 miles from her home in LA to study film at Harvard, where she's part of a Black art collective and works for the college radio station. She is also a gifted pianist, rapper, and lacrosse player who raised over $60,000 in 2022 for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.
© Le Bal / Borde / Moreau / BestimageAngela Bassett opens up about debutante daughter
The Bassett-Vance family outing comes after Angela spoke exclusively to HELLO! about her daughter's attendance at the ball, something the actress didn't see coming.
© Getty Images"I wouldn't think it a normal occurrence to be vetted and invited onto a world stage at such an age," Angela told HELLO!, but the 9-1-1 star and executive producer had "no trepidations whatsoever," and "was swept away" by Bronwyn's enthusiasm for the opportunity.
"Bronwyn has a spirit of graciousness," her mother added. "She is at ease and seeks to put others at ease in whatever situation she finds herself."
© Le Bal / Borde / Moreau / BestimageThe debutante added of the experience: "I love fashion and feeling like a princess, and this seemed like something I would love...I also recognised some of the girls who did it years prior and knew if they were doing it, it was a great event."
© Le Bal / Borde / Moreau / BestimageWhat is Le Bal des Debutantes?
Having covered Le Bal in the lead-up to the 2025 edition, I know that it is an event that dates back decades. It stems from the 18th century tradition of a debutante ball, where a young lady from the upper echelons of society is able to find a suitable husband.
However, thanks to the event's long-time organiser, Madame Ophélie Renouard, the concept was given a shake-up in the 1990s and now puts the female debs centre-stage.
© Le Bal / Pascal Chevallier / BestimageBronwyn was just one of the young ladies in attendance, as she joined debs from royalty and society alike. The guest list for 2025 included Lady Araminta Spencer-Churchill, daughter of the Duke of Marlborough and his second wife, Edla Griffiths, as well as Princess Isabelle of Orléans, the youngest daughter of the Duke and Duchess of Chartres, and Jillian Chan, the daughter of Chinese-Thai director Peter Chan and the actress and producer Sandra Ng.
© Le Bal / Borde / Moreau / BestimageEach lady was escorted by a male cavalier from either their family, friend circle, or Ophelie's network. The Duke of Kent's grandson, Albert Windsor, was present as he escorted Princess Eulalia of Orléans Bourbon.
