Back in 2011, a young French model, Thylane Blondeau, was dubbed as “the most beautiful girl in the world.” But that’s just what she was, a girl, and the topic of child models has always been a point of controversy.
She participated in a Vogue photo shoot six years ago that raised concern in the public about the use of child models and as to whether or not the job would negatively affect them in the future.
As for Blondeau, here’s how — and what — she’s doing now.
Her parents — a pair of French celebrities: football star athlete Patrick Blondeau and actress Véronika Loubry — got her into child modeling almost instantly at the age of four.
In 2005, she participated in the Jean Paul Gaultier fashion show and walked down the runway.
With her piercing blue eyes and photogenic face, it was clear from the beginning that she was going to grow up to be a beautiful woman.
But some people wonder if the world of modeling is really where a young girl should be.
Some countries have banned models under the age of sixteen to walk the catwalk because they feel that the world of fashion is too sexualized for children.
Not to mention that the stress of the high-pressure job of being a model can take a huge emotional toll on a person.
Even young models are expected to prioritize their physical appearance over their health.
In Blondeau’s early years of her modeling career, however, there was very little controversy.
That is up until at ten, she participated in an editorial for Vogue.
Unfortunately, the shoot received more uproar than praise when everyone agreed that young Blondeau looked too sexualized.
Most people agreed with psychologist Emma Grey when she said, “This picture is the antithesis of what childhood in our society should be; a child being exposed to a world she is not yet equipped to deal with solely to serve the needs of the adults around her.”
Numerous opinions were being offered from various publications and commentators, with the one from the Mother’s Union standing out.
“We have grave concerns about the modeling agency who represent Blondeau, which clearly does not know if it represents a child or an adult,” said a spokesperson for the Christian charity.
In response to the criticism, Blondeau’s mother said, “I admit I myself was shocked during the photo shoot. But let me be precise: the only thing that shocked me is that the necklace she wore was worth €3 million!”
“I turn down at least three-quarters of the things we’re offered,” Loubry insisted. “For the moment, she’s leading a normal life.”
Being so young back then, Blondeau didn’t really get the opportunity to say much on the controversial debate she unintentionally created.
As she grew up, however, she remained a popular model and slowly began growing even more popular on Instagram.
When she was 14, she was featured on the books of IMG Models (an international modeling agency).
“My favorite part of the job is meeting new photographers and makeup artists. I love to try on the clothes, too!” she told Teen Vogue in 2015.
But Blondeau’s interest wasn’t only in modeling…
She also aspired to be an actress like her mom, and starred in the French film Belle & Sébastien: The Adventure Continues in 2015.
In a later interview, she was asked what it was like being a model at such a young age.
Her response was surprisingly simple and didn’t even refer to any of the controversial debate she started.
“Well, Kate Moss started modeling at the age of fifteen, and that was a little while ago,” she said. “So, no. I’m not too young. If you have a good agency and people who take care of you… it’s perfect.”
In October 2016, she attended Paris Fashion Week and did an interview with W magazine, and was asked what she would be doing after the event was over.
She gave a practical answer, “Going home to get some rest and going to school.”
She’ll be turning 16 this year, and she seems to have a good head on her shoulders along with that pretty face.
Before long, the childhood controversy that once surrounded her may be totally overshadowed by other accomplishments.
