Thylane Blondeau, Named 'Most Beautiful Girl in the World' with Facial ‘Quirks,’ Survived a Life-Threatening Ordeal

• Thylane Blondeau was dubbed the "Most Beautiful Girl in the World" at the tender age of six.
• She captivated the globe with her unconventional beauty despite what was described as her facial "quirks."
• Years later, the model emerged victorious from a life-threatening ordeal, sharing her journey with her fans.

Thylane Blondeau, a French model and actress, has been in the spotlight since she was a child. She was dubbed "the most beautiful girl in the world" by Vogue Enfants when she was only six years old, and she has been a successful and sometimes controversial figure in the fashion industry ever since.

She has also faced many challenges and hardships in her life, including a life-threatening ordeal that she survived in 2020. Here is what happened to Blondeau since she found early fame, the controversies surrounding her, and the life-altering ordeal she overcame.

Becoming a Child Prodigy in the Fashion World

Born to French footballer Patrick Blondeau and TV presenter Veronika Loubry, Blondeau's venture into the fashion industry began at an astonishingly young age. At the age of three, she was spotted by a scout for Jean Paul Gaultier. Walking down the Champs-Elysées with her mother, the young Blondeau was chosen to model for Gaultier the very next day.

Against all odds, her career in high fashion kick-started at the age of four when she walked the Jean Paul Gaultier runway, marking the inception of her successful and occasionally controversial modeling career.

Blondeau's beauty and charisma captivated the world, and she was labeled "the most beautiful girl in the world" by Vogue Enfants in 2006 when she was only six years old.

Cosmetic experts Dr. Michael Prager and Dr. Tatiana Lapa shed light on the captivating and unconventional beauty of Blondeau that led her to get the title. According to Dr. Prager, the key lies in proportions. Blondeau's features, even at a young age, defied the typical characteristics of a six-year-old.

Her strong chin and downturned mouth, more reminiscent of adult beauty proportions, created a visual paradox that intrigued the adult mind. Dr. Lapa, a specialist in facial aesthetics, delved deeper into Blondeau's distinctive features, emphasizing that she was no conventional beauty.

Instead, Blondeau's heart-shaped face added an extra layer of intrigue. Dr. Lapa highlighted her large, widely spaced blue eyes and a natural "sulky" pout, defying the expectations of a typical child's appearance. She said:

"She was no Barbie. Her face had interesting quirks that add intrigue."

Thylane Blondeau's Controversial Photoshoot

In 2011, at the age of 10, Blondeau found herself on the cover of a Vogue Paris supplement, orchestrated by fashion maestro Tom Ford and editor Carine Roitfeld.

The photoshoot stirred the pot of controversy as it showcased Blondeau and two other young models adorned in makeup, high heels, and haute couture—provocative elements that reignited the ongoing debate on the sexualization of young girls in the fashion industry.

Critics voiced concerns as Thylane's youthful innocence collided with adult aesthetics, portrayed through poses, makeup, and attire far beyond the norm for a 10-year-old. The debate intensified as the images suggested a departure from age-appropriate representations, potentially influencing perceptions of beauty for other young girls.

One particular photo featuring Blondeau lying on a tiger skin rug in a red dress and stilettos became a focal point for backlash. Some condemned French Vogue for perpetuating unrealistic beauty standards for children, while others accused the magazine of sexualizing and exploiting young girls.

Shari Miles-Cohen from the American Psychological Association stated the importance of age-appropriate development, emphasizing that children shouldn't be forced to grow up too fast.

French Vogue staunchly defended the photoshoot, challenging societal norms with provocative captions like "What makeup at what age?" However, public outrage persisted.

Blondeau's mother, Loubry, faced the storm with a mix of acceptance and defense. Despite acknowledging the shocking nature of the shoot, Loubry focused on the extravagant jewelry, attempting to redirect the narrative. She exclaimed:

"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!"

Thylane's Life After the Scandal

After the Vogue Paris scandal, Blondeau's mother closed the Facebook page that had been set up for her daughter, and Blondeau took a hiatus from modeling for a few years.

Retreating from the public eye allowed her to focus on education and pursue a range of hobbies typical for a teenager, from dancing and skateboarding to swimming and playing the drums and the piano.

Blondeau maintained a light-hearted approach to the criticisms and praises that surrounded her. She expressed that she didn't pay much attention to public opinions, embracing a sense of humor to deflect negativity.

Even amidst the accolades labeling her the "most beautiful girl in the world," she retained a grounded self-perception, seeing herself not as a fashion icon but simply as a human being.

"When you're small, you don't really pay attention," she reflected. "People are like, 'You know, you're the most beautiful girl in the world,' and you're like, 'I'm not, I'm just playing with my iPad.' Even today, people are like, 'You are the most beautiful girl,' and I'm like, 'No, I'm still not, I'm just a human being, a teenager.'"

Body Positivity and Defying Industry Standards

Blondeau boldly rejected conforming to industry norms regarding body image. She expressed a genuine love for food, dismissing societal expectations about being skinny. Her unapologetic stance was clear:

"I don't want to be skinny... I'm not going to be skinny and not eat for them. If I want to eat, I can eat. I eat burgers. I'm not going to change this ever."

In 2015, at the age of 14, Blondeau staged a triumphant return to the modeling world by signing with IMG Models, a renowned global modeling agency. This marked the beginning of a new chapter, leading to her role as a brand ambassador for L'Oreal Paris in 2017.

For Blondeau, the essence of her pursuits goes beyond modeling and acting—it's about happiness and self-expression. Showing her determination to stay true to herself, she asserted:

"I want to be happy and do what I like. If I still want to be a model, I [will] model and [do] acting. But I want to be happy first."

Blondeau has also been further adorned with accolades. In 2018, she secured the top spot on TC Candler's "100 Most Beautiful Faces" list, surpassing renowned celebrities like Selena Gomez, Emma Watson, and Gal Gadot.

Thylane's Life-Threatening Ordeal

In October 2021, Blondeau shared a raw personal experience on Instagram. She posted a photo lying in a hospital bed, revealing that she had suffered from a ruptured ovarian cyst the previous year and had to undergo an emergency surgery. She described how, after the first surgery, she still felt pain in her abdomen.

She visited several gynecologists and had many scans in Paris, but they all told her the same thing: "Don't worry, you have nothing; it's all in your head." Blondeau did not give up and kept looking for answers until she met a doctor who finally saw what others had missed.

The doctor who changed Blondeau's life was Dr. O. Kadoch. He noticed a large cyst—5.6 cm—on her ovary and sent her for an MRI. The results confirmed his suspicion, and he scheduled an emergency operation for her. Blondeau realized how serious her condition was and how lucky she was to have found a doctor who listened to her.

Blondeau successfully underwent the surgery and recovered from the ordeal. She learned a valuable lesson from this experience: trust your body and seek help when you feel something is wrong.

She urged her followers to do the same and not to ignore any pain, no matter how small. She advised, "Any pain, even the little ones, can hide something way more important."

Now, at the age of 22, Blondeau radiates not just external beauty but an inner strength forged through adversity. She remains very close to her mom, who is her biggest cheerleader.