Thylane Blondeau's Lifelong Battle with the 'Most Beautiful Girl in the World' Title
Thylane Blondeau, now 24 years old, has spent much of her life grappling with the weighty title of 'the most beautiful girl in the world', a label first bestowed upon her at the tender age of six following a photoshoot for Vogue Enfants. In a candid revelation, the French model admits she has forever struggled to live up to this moniker, repeatedly emphasising that she is simply a 'human being' rather than an idealized figure of beauty.
Early Fame and Childhood Perspectives
Thylane explains that during her childhood, she did not fully comprehend the significance of the title. 'When you're small, you don't really pay attention,' she shared. '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."' As she matured, she made concerted efforts to prevent the label from defining her identity, a challenge that persists even today when admirers continue to reference her beauty.
Modelling Career and Industry Standards
Thylane's entry into the modelling world was not of her own volition. At just three years old, she was scouted on the streets of Paris and invited to walk in a Jean Paul Gaultier show. By sixteen, she had already achieved remarkable milestones, including modelling for Vogue Paris, walking the red carpet at the Cannes Film Festival, and becoming a brand ambassador for L'Oréal Paris. Despite these luxuries, her childhood was far from normal.
In a 2018 interview with The Telegraph, Thylane articulated her philosophy on modelling, stating that 'personality first now. Beauty inside and outside.' She firmly rejects conforming to the industry's stringent physical standards, declaring, 'I don't want to be skinny. Even if people are like, "she's not that skinny, she can't do this show," I'm just like, "ok fine, I'm not going to do that show."' She emphasises her commitment to maintaining a healthy lifestyle, including enjoying burgers, and asserts she will never compromise her well-being for fashion demands.
Controversial Moments and Career Highlights
Thylane's career has not been without controversy. At age ten, she appeared in a French Vogue spread titled 'Quel Maquillage à Quel Âge?' ('What Makeup at What Age?'), dressed in a gold dress and heels, which sparked backlash for allegedly sexualising a pre-teen. Her mother, Véronika Loubry, defended the cover, noting that the only shocking element was the 3 million Euro necklace Thylane wore.
Her adult runway debut came in February 2017 for Dolce & Gabbana at Milan Fashion Week, a success that led to repeat invitations. She has since worked with prestigious brands such as Miu Miu, Versace, Ralph Lauren, and Hugo Boss, and has shared campaigns with stars like Zendaya and Gigi Hadid. With 6.8 million Instagram followers, Thylane balances modelling with entrepreneurship, recently launching the beauty and haircare brand Enalyht.
Personal Life and Recent Engagement
Thylane, the daughter of TV presenter Véronika Loubry and retired footballer Patrick Blondeau, has lived in various glamorous locations, including Kensington High Street next to Brooklyn Beckham and a place in St Tropez. She has now returned to France, residing with her fiancé, French DJ Ben Attal. The couple announced their engagement on Sunday at the luxurious Four Seasons Astir Palace Hotel in Greece, where Thylane shared photos of her sparkling oval diamond ring, worth over £30,000, captioned, 'I said yes to my best friend. Here’s to forever.'
Throughout her journey, Thylane continues to challenge industry norms, prioritising happiness and authenticity over external expectations. As she reflects on her future, she muses, 'I just 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.' Her story serves as a poignant reminder of the complexities behind fame and the enduring quest for personal identity beyond labels.
