Once hailed as “the most beautiful girl in the world,” Thylane Blondeau’s face launched a thousand likes, sparked internet debates, and quietly upended the fashion status quo. But what happens fourteen years after a childhood spent under spotlights—does the “little angel” keep shining, or does real life finally sneak in?
The Photo That Sparked a Frenzy
We all remember the photo snapped by her mother, television presenter Véronika Loubry: Thylane, looking as if she’d just tumbled out of bed, with tousled light hair, iconic pout, and cherubic face. That image zipped around the world and instantly captivated social media, especially Instagram and Facebook. It was 2010, Thylane was only nine years old, and her striking blue eyes, tanned skin, and photogenic pout earned her the title “the most beautiful little girl in the world”—a moniker that stuck with her for years.
- Long light hair: check.
- Pouty lips: double check.
- Angel face: absolutely.
From the Pages of Vogue to the Silver Screen
The very next year, at just ten years old, Thylane Léna-Rose Blondeau entered the glossy world of high fashion, appearing in the pages of Vogue—a feat most models only dream of well into adulthood. The covers kept rolling in: Teen Vogue, Jalouse, L’Officiel, and Grazia. While she’s famous for her modeling career, Thylane hasn’t confined herself to runways and studios. The ex-girlfriend of Raphaël Le Friant (son of DJ Bob Sinclar) has also pursued acting. In 2013, she nabbed one of the lead roles—Gabrielle—in the film “Belle et Sébastien: L’aventure continue.”
Growing Up—And Growing Ambitious
Grounded in her dual heritage—daughter of TV hostess Véronika Loubry and international footballer Patrick Blondeau—Thylane recently celebrated her 22nd birthday. She’s no longer the little girl gazing sleepily into the lens. Adulthood came with more than one candle on the birthday cake; it brought her closer to the fashion world. Now signed with the renowned IMG Models agency, Thylane continues to dazzle with her ambition.
Her mother, proud of her two children, often shares fresh photos of Thylane on Instagram—be it during Fashion Week, Cannes Festival, or sparkling new campaigns. While many wonder about her stats, Thylane’s rise has never hinged on her height; it’s been all about her enchanting face. She stands at about 1.68m (around 5’6″) and weighs 58kg, making her not the tallest model at IMG, but certainly one of the most recognized.
Breaking Molds, Facing Expectations
Although she had a childhood much like others her age, true transformation arrived at sixteen. Signing a contract with L’Oréal Paris, she joined the ranks of icons such as Eva Longoria, Leïla Bekhti, and Kate Winslet. Her words at the time? “It’s an honor for me to join the L’Oréal Paris family, a cosmetics brand that always made me dream. To be alongside beauty professionals and muses I’ve admired forever, it’s really the best gift I could get for my sixteenth birthday.” At L’Oréal Paris, she felt she could be herself and champion values dear to her, such as confidence and self-esteem.
Contracts followed swiftly—with Lolita Lempicka, and more recently APM Monaco and Etam, the latter sparking her own capsule collection for summer 2022. It’s during an interview for this launch that Thylane reflected on her famous childhood title.
Being called “the most beautiful little girl in the world”—or even “the most beautiful face in the world”—wasn’t always a cakewalk. Trophy or burden? “A bit of both,” Thylane told L’Obs. In her hometown of Aix-en-Provence, the title barely mattered; after all, “All mothers consider their daughter the most beautiful in the world.” When browsing social media, she confessed, she quickly sees “many women far more beautiful than me.” Despite being told she was gorgeous, she’s battled insecurity. At home with her parents or younger brother Ayrton Blondeau, Thylane is just another woman, enjoying the simple moments others take for granted. She is not the trending girl on social media—at least, not in the family living room.
She’s refreshingly honest: “Just because I had that ‘title’ doesn’t mean I need an impeccable appearance at all times. I don’t want to be defined only by my looks anymore.” In younger years, she struggled with the pressure to fit a “stereotypical femininity.” She has “always been shorter than other models, and a little curvier.” Fortunately, mindsets have changed: “You no longer need to be 1.80m or anorexic to walk the runway. The last Etam show proved that all women and all body types are represented in fashion today—it’s a relief.”
Thylane Blondeau’s story isn’t just about beauty bestowed by the lens of a camera. It’s about navigating the complex worlds of fame, fashion, and self-worth—proving that beauty is lovelier when it makes room for ambition, growth, and sincerity. After all, growing up may not be pretty, but owning your story? Now that’s beautiful.
William is the creative mind behind Aversa Outdoor — a lifelong outdoor enthusiast with a deep love for gardening, home design, and everything in between.
He grew up surrounded by nature, spending weekends helping in the family garden and learning the joy of building things by hand. Over time, that passion turned into a mission: helping others create spaces they love, inside and out.
With Aversa Outdoor, William shares practical tips, fresh ideas, and a laid-back approach to home and garden living. Whether you’re planting your first herbs, planning a patio makeover, or just looking for inspiration, he’s here to make it simple, rewarding, and a little bit fun.
When he’s not in the garden or sketching his next DIY project, you’ll find him exploring local nurseries, chasing the perfect sunset light, or sipping coffee on the porch with a good book.
