It is never easy to rise to fame as a child and then spend your adult years living up to a reputation built long before, and when you are labeled “the most beautiful girl in the world,” expectations tend to follow you into adulthood. French model Thylane Blondeau knows that reality well.
At just 5 years old, Blondeau was crowned “the most beautiful girl in the world” by Vogue Enfants, Vogue's children’s fashion segment. The title has stayed with her ever since.
Now 24, Blondeau made headlines after announcing her engagement to French DJ Ben Attal, 28, who proposed during a romantic trip to Greece.
Blondeau shared photos from the proposal, including a diamond ring reportedly worth about £30,000, writing: “I said yes to my best friend. Here's to Forever.”
The couple has been together since 2020. Before Attal, Blondeau dated another French DJ, Milane Meritte, suggesting a clear preference when it comes to partners.
Blondeau also has a small connection to Israel. She has two Hebrew tattoos, one reading “chai,” meaning life, and another featuring the names of her brothers, Ayrton and Lapo, inked beneath her chest.
Her career began as early as 4, when she was already modeling for Jean Paul Gaultier. She went on to work with major brands, appear in top magazines and, notably, carry the title of the world’s most beautiful girl.
At 17, she won the title of “the most beautiful face in the world.” Israeli model Yael Shelbia placed third on that same list.
In an interview with The Telegraph at the time, Blondeau said she never took the praise too seriously. “When you're small, you don't really pay attention. 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'."
Whether or not she agrees, her career suggests otherwise. With 6.8 million Instagram followers, Blondeau continues to work with luxury brands including Dolce & Gabbana, L’Oréal Paris, Versace, Ralph Lauren and Hugo Boss.
Still, she has made clear she will not compromise herself for the industry. "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'. 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," she told The Telegraph.
She added, "I just want to be happy and do what I like. If I still want to be a model, I will. But I want to be happy first." Her conclusion was simple: Personality matters more, beauty inside and out.