Stella Banderas wows social media with a gorgeous new Instagram picture. Wearing a lace and sheer ensemble, Melanie Griffith and Antonio Banderas’ daughter showed how modeling is done.
Stella Banderas, daughter of renowned actress Melanie Griffith, recently set social media abuzz with her new Instagram post. In the snapshot, Stella posed on the ground, wearing a sheer black dress adorned with lace details.
The outfit highlighted her slim figure and flawless complexion. Meanwhile, her hair styled in a messy updo with bangs, softly framed her face.
Stella Banderas at the “RABAT Magic Cosmos” photocall in Madrid, Spain on October 25, 2023 | Source: Getty Images
Fans and followers quickly expressed their admiration in the comments section. Among the enthusiastic responses, one was from her mother and she wrote, “My beautiful Angel girl!!!” Other comments echoed this sentiment, with remarks like, “That red lip?? U kiddin [sic] me ???” and “Insane.” The straightforward “Wow” and “omg” further highlighted Stella’s stunning appearance.
Stella is famously known as the daughter of Hollywood’s most beloved couples, Melanie and Antonio Banderas. However, despite her famous lineage, she has lived a life shielded from the limelight.
Her parents’ marriage, which lasted nearly two decades, ended in 2015. Still, their commitment to co-parenting Stella never wavered. They ensured that the end of their marriage didn’t affect their dedication to her upbringing.
Melanie Griffith, Stella and Antonio Banderas at the Starlite Gala in Marbella, Spain on August 4, 2012 | Source: Getty Images
Melanie has frequently spoken about her approach to parenting. Specifically, she emphasized nurturing a strong and loving relationship with oneself.
“My mother has always emphasized the importance of having a good, loving relationship with myself,” Stella once shared. The actress encouraged her daughter to engage in an open dialogue with her higher self, or God, or the universe to ask for wisdom.
This guidance profoundly influenced Stella, shaping her personal development. It also affected her relationship with Melanie, which she describes as evolving into a friendship.
In discussions about her children, Melanie revealed her unconditional love for them. “With Stella, because she is my youngest, I think she has gotten the best version of me as her mama,” Melanie expressed.
Stella Banderas at the “RABAT Magic Cosmos” photocall in Madrid, Spain on October 25, 2023 | Source: Getty Images
This sentiment reflects a deeper understanding and maturity gained from years of motherhood. The added knowledge and wisdom benefited Stella as she continued to define herself.
Melanie also described her daughter as having mystery. “You’re very much a healer,” she said. She admires the subtle yet significant influence Stella has on those around her. She even described her as “mercurial and magical” and eagerly anticipates what the future holds for her.
Despite their close relationship, in 2021, Stella made a significant decision regarding her name. She chose to drop her mother’s surname, “Griffith,” from her full name. She filed a name change petition with the Los Angeles County Courts to have her name legally changed to “Stella Del Carmen Banderas.”
Nicole Kimpel, Antonio Banderas, and Stella Banderas in Hollywood, California on February 09, 2020 | Source: Getty Images
The legal documents stated Stella’s intention to simplify her name by removing “Griffith.” She explained in the documents, “I just want to shorten my name by removing the extra last name. As well, I typically do not use ‘Griffith’ when referring to myself or on documents.”
She emphasized that the change was to align her legal name with how she commonly refers to herself. This was also how she appeared in most documents, stating, “So, dropping the name would match my regular use.”
Undoubtedly, Melanie has influenced her daughter’s life in more ways than one, including Stella’s career. Stella has carved her niche as a successful model and budding filmmaker in the entertainment industry.
Her journey into the limelight began to take shape when she graced the cover of Glamour Spain in September 2020. Celebrating this milestone, she shared her excitement on Instagram.
Stella Banderas at the “Crucero” collection fashion show in Seville, Spain on June 16, 2022 | Source: Getty Images
Her involvement in the industry extends beyond modeling. Stella made a striking appearance alongside her father at the 69th San Sebastian International Film Festival in Spain. There, she showcased her growing presence in show business and her deep ties to her birth country.
Antonio and Stella Banderas at the 69th San Sebastian Film Festival in San Sebastian, Spain on September 17, 2021 | Source: Getty Images
Embracing her passion and the art of acting, Stella pursued formal education in acting at the Stella Adler Academy. This decision signaled her serious commitment to her craft.
At that time, Stella’s father expressed nothing but support for her artistic endeavors. “I want her to do what she really feels,” he stated, emphasizing his desire for her to pursue her passions freely.
He continued, “She will have my support in any field that she decides to go.” Beyond her pursuits in front of the camera and on the runway, Stella has ventured into entrepreneurship. She founded the fragrance brand, Lightbound. This endeavor was born from her early experiments with creating unique scents.
In 2021, she launched Alma, Lightbound’s signature perfume oil. This quickly gained popularity and found its place in prestigious retail locations such as Maxfield, Midland, and RLT. The scent reflected Stella’s bicultural upbringing, blending notes of vanilla, chocolate, sandalwood, amber, patchouli, and frankincense to capture the essence of Spain and Los Angeles.
Lightbound is a testament to Stella’s commitment to sustainability and ethical production practices. Among her practices is emphasizing small batch production to minimize waste. It also showed her dedication to creating products that reflect her personal values and cultural heritage.
Undoubtedly, Stella’s parents have done a wonderful job raising her. They have continued to show the world that it’s possible to maintain a close and supportive relationship.
Their unity was recently highlighted when Melanie Griffith and Antonio Banderas attended the “Saturday Night Live” after-party to support Dakota Johnson, their daughter from a previous relationship.
Melanie Griffith and Antonio Banderas at the “SNL” after party in New York in January 2024 | Source: Instagram.com/justjared/
Their presence together sparked excitement among fans, with social media comments praising Griffith for “STEALING the SPOTLIGHT!” and noting how “Absolutely Beautiful” the pair looked.
Melanie Griffith arriving at the “SNL” afterparty in New York in January 2024 | Source: Getty Images
This occasion is a testament to their enduring friendship and mutual respect, showcasing their sophisticated demeanor and ability to navigate public events as a supportive former couple.
Antonio Banderas arriving at the “SNL” afterparty in New York in January 2024 | Source: Getty Images
More than just amicable exes, Banderas continues to share a deep bond with his stepdaughter, Dakota Johnson. This close relationship was prominently displayed when Johnson presented Banderas with the Hollywood Actor Award for his performance in “Pain And Glory.”