She Was Dubbed 'The Most Beautiful Girl in the World' at 5 – How She Has Changed Will Shock You

This little girl wasn't seeking fame when she posed for a photo that later went viral, earning her a unique title for her striking looks. Since then, she has received accolades and aspires to work in the medical field one day.

She wasn't a model when a local photographer captured her image, aiming to offer a new perspective on photographing children. But she isn't a little girl anymore—she's grown and changed for the better.

How Did She Become Famous?

She was five years old in 2018 when her photo went viral on social media. This Nigerian beauty drew widespread attention for her appearance after Mofe Bamuyiwa, a Lagos-based photographer, shared her image on Instagram.

Bamuyiwa captioned one post, "Oh yes she's human! She's also an angel!" In another post from July 2018, she described the girl and her sisters, Jomi (then seven) and Joba (then ten), as "A GIFT FROM HEAVEN."

The photographer expressed her excitement about her "new style of child portraiture." She explained, "Before I thought of Photographing the @the_j3_sisters, I have had frivolous ideas of how I can make artsy portraits of kids and do away from the norm."

When she finally got the opportunity to photograph the trio, Bamuyiwa decided to express her creative vision for children's portraits. She said, "I want to portray the interception between her childhood and adulthood so both stay timeless!"

Inspired by the girls' mother, Bamuyiwa launched an Instagram page called The J3 Sisters to showcase all three children. As a lifestyle and wedding photographer, she explained that positioning the girl in a mature pose highlighted the transition between childhood and adulthood.

The post received thousands of reactions, with many likening the young girl to a real-life Barbie. Bamuyiwa was surprised by the outpouring of praise, stating, "All I want is for everyone to see [the little girl's] powerful potential. … I want the photo to speak to her when she has reached her adulthood."

In August 2018, a publication dubbed Jomi and Joba's younger sister "The Most Beautiful Girl in the World." Bamuyiwa shared the post on the girls' Instagram page and expressed gratitude for the recognition.

In response, social media users flooded the post with admiration. One commented, "She is like an angel." Another wrote, "I can't recall the last time I saw such beauty.. She's truly the most beautiful." Someone else added, "She is so beautiful she doesn't look real."

Another person said, "Couldn't believe she's still the one in the other pictures where she has no makeup on and the wig. Natural is power." Commenting on her eyes, one user observed, "So her true eyes are brown! Why falsify the pic and make them blue. She is just as beautiful if not more so with her natural brown eyes."

Someone else asked, "So the blue eyes were computer generated for the photo?" That image ultimately opened many doors for the young girl.

Winning Accolades and Traveling the World

In September 2019, the girls' YouTube page revealed that the youngest sister received the Bravest and Most Daring award at the Child Summit in Ghana. She also won for being the most strategically sound and forward-looking African child in entertainment as a fashion icon or model of repute.

At the event, she met several dignitaries, including Jewel Cianeh Howard Taylor, the Vice President of Liberia. The YouTube post's caption read in part, "We just want to thank God and everyone of you that has supported us, we pray for Gods favour on everyone."

The video showcased the sisters preparing for the occasion. Fans also saw her receiving her award and posing with her sisters. By February 2020, she had grown and had started traveling outside of Africa.

In a clip shared on the girls' joint Instagram account, she followed instructions to walk through a gate, blow a kiss, and announce her readiness to walk at the London Fashion Week. According to the post, they were in Waltham Cross at the time.

Bamuyiwa revealed that the little girl felt honored to participate in a runway show featuring top designers from around the world. She thanked the girl's mother for her hard work and her father for his love and sacrifice.

The post also mentioned Joba and Jomi, who couldn't attend, noting that their younger sister was representing them in spirit. Bamuyiwa was acknowledged with the message, "Look where our amazing photo got us!"

The girl's pastor also received thanks for his kind words and encouragement. The post declared, "To all the Nigerian kids! 👭This is for you! You can do it too!💝💝💝." By 2024, she was taller, more confident, and still modeling on runways. In recent years, she's made it clear that her ambitions go beyond beauty.

How the Young Model Uses Her Beauty for Change

In a 2022 interview, Jare Ijalana, then eight, shared what beauty means to her. The young model said, "Beauty is being kind. It is not just the way you look, or how your face is. It is about [what is] inside your heart, how you feel inside."

When asked how she uses her beauty to "unmute," Jare said she was launching an initiative to help underprivileged and sexually abused children. Her mother organizes seminars about the sexual abuse of children, and she wants to follow in her footsteps.

Jare also uses her platform to advocate for health and mental wellness. She hopes to become a doctor one day and believes she can balance a medical career with major fashion appearances.

The extended interview revealed that her modeling career was briefly disrupted during the COVID-19 pandemic but later resumed. Her mother, Omowunmi Ijalana, said she doesn't allow fame to affect her children.

They work hard to maintain balance, and being a close-knit family has been a great support. Omowunmi admitted it was "a new ball game entirely" when Jare became famous, but having structure made it manageable.

In 2023, Jare rang in the New Year with an Instagram post showing her in a purple gown. Her growth was evident as she shared that she had just turned ten, happily announcing her entry "into the two digits number." Now in 2025, she is 12.

Jare Ijalana's journey reveals how a single photograph can open doors, but it's her passion, purpose, and poise that truly define her. From viral fame to meaningful advocacy, she continues to inspire a new generation.