Ex-Prem star’s ‘most stunning woman on the earth’ daughter now unrecognisable after fame
She was dubbed the ‘most beautiful girl in the world’ and has since made a name for herself in the modelling industry out of the shadow of her former Premier League star dad
The daughter of former Premier League star Patrick Blondeau is a stunning model who has seven million followers online.
Thylane Blondeau shot to fame at just six years old when she earned the title “most beautiful little girl in the world” following a photoshoot. At four years old, she was already strutting down the runway for Jean-Paul Gaultier.
When she turned nine in 2010, her appearance in a Vogue Enfants shoot caused controversy as she posed in stilettos, mini skirts, and heavy makeup. And now 24, the French model and actress looks completely different, but she remains firmly in the limelight.
Her father, Patrick Blondeau, had two brief spells in English football, joining Premier League side Sheffield Wednesday in 1997 from Monaco, but the defender failed to settle in England and returned to France just six months later.
The two-time France international then gave England another shot, joining second-tier Watford in 2001, but he only remained at Vicarage Road for one season.
Shortly before his move to Watford, Blondeau and his then-wife, TV presenter and fashion designer, Veronika Loubry welcomed Thylane, born on April 5, 2001, in Aix-en-Provence, France.
Thylane began her modelling career at just four years old, and she has worked with countless designers, fashion houses, and cosmetics brands, including Dolce and Gabbana, Ralph Lauren, L’Oréal, Chanel, and Versace, remaining at the forefront of the industry for almost twenty years.
However, her Vogue Enfant appearance caused uproar, especially because of the mature and overtly sexualised styling and poses, which drew worldwide criticism.
Her mum defended the controversial photoshoot, declaring: “The only thing that shocks me about the photo is the necklace that she’s wearing, which is worth 3m Euros.”
Despite the backlash, she continued her modelling career, and by the age of 13, she appeared on the front cover of Jalouse magazine, which dubbed her a “virtuoso model.”
After signing with IMG Models, Thylane embarked on her acting career in 2015, playing Gabriele in the film ‘Belle and Sebastian: The Adventure Continues.’
In 2017, she landed a brand ambassador position with L’Oréal and appeared alongside Zendaya, Lucky Blue Smith, and Presley Gerber in Dolce and Gabbana’s spring/summer campaign.
And then in 2018, she once again topped TC Candler’s “100 Most Beautiful Faces” list after previously appearing in 2014, 2015, 2016, and 2017, and then again in 2019.
The social media sensation also founded her own fashion label, Heaven May, and beauty brand, Enalyht. Now 24, the model and creative director has amassed over seven million Instagram followers.
The young model looked completely transformed from her six-year-old self as she walked the red carpet at the 2025 Cannes International Film Festival. Thylane is still signed to IMG and continues working in the fashion industry.
