Thylane Loubry Blondeau: The 10 Year Old Model

Posted by Alexandra C. | Wednesday August 10, 2011

We posted in our site forum a few days ago about Thylane Loubry Blondeau. If you haven’t heard about this newcomer to the modeling and fashion world yet or the controversy surrounding her career, then you brace yourself- this one is a doozie.

Thylane Blondeau is an Ivory Coast native, ten years old and modeling already in editorials. This isn’t any run of the mill child modeling or acting type of gig either. She has already been in photoshoots for Diesel, walked in a show for Jean Paul Gautier (at the age of four) and has been featured in Vogue. I’ll let the pictures speak for themselves though- because, even writing this now, I’m creeping myself out a bit. I think you can see the issues plainly through these photos.

The implied sexuality and taking this child out of her element and into a very adult world has gotten a lot of criticism. On the other hand, some of the images of Thylane seem perfectly innocent- normal, child modeling photo shoots.

Thylane Loubry Blondeau’s mother recently spoke out about the issues surrounding her daughter. She posted the following on her child’s Facebook page:

“hey guys im the mum of thylane something going ‘s wrong at the moment with thylane and bad personn in usa about pictures she make's 8 months ago for vogue ,,thylane doesn't know about the buzz and i want to protect her from the deapest of my heart ,,, she's so young ,, so we are going to close this accompte for a while ,,i know all of you are good person who like her so i send you a big kiss,,thanks” (via jezebel.com)

Many of our readers have compared this story to that of the show Toddlers in Tiaras. As for how Thylane’s parents feel and whether or not modeling was forced onto her is something I can’t comment on but I can say that the modeling industry is very tough and can be superficial. I just hope that everything works out for Thylane and she gets the childhood she deserves.

Let us know what your thoughts are on Thylane, her career and about being a child model!

UPDATE! A quote from Thylane's mother on Thylane's work and her having a normal childhood:
"In these pictures," she says, "my daughter is not nude, so let's not exaggerate here! People who aren't seeing these pictures in good faith, too bad for them! I'm really above all that."
"We have...turned down ten film projects, a Ralph Lauren campaign...I turn down at least three-quarters of the things we're offered. For the moment, she's leading a normal life." (via jezebel.com)

More by Alexandra C.
More on Celebrities, News & Issues

Pin It

Ten Under $50: Bargain Buys

I'm Taking Control Of My Financial...

8 Comments

	on October 11, 2012 shanaz 5,961 said: I think it's easy to pick apart and judge. The main concern should be around Thylane's safety, on and off set.
	on January 15, 2012 fairyinred 902 said: She's obviously going to be phenomenal when she gets older, so why do they have to start now?
	on January 14, 2012 shellsbells85 3,580 said: what a beauty, but this is totally wrong in my opinion. Think of what is in store for her in upcoming years and the mindset she will have.....
	on January 14, 2012 ThylaneFan said: She is an absolutely gorgeous girl!!
	on January 05, 2012 Ali de Bold STAFF said: That girl was definitely born to model - no question. But I think some of the images are too much. They should be using her for only stuff relating to kids. The gold and leopard spread is too much!
	on January 05, 2012 Steffikah 9,295 said: I think the second picture from the top... not the banner, but the first section where there are two photos.. the first picture in that group is a little too much for a ten year old girl. You can see her chest! There is no need for a child of that age to be modeling something that skimpy. Any of the other pictures, my god is she ever a gorgeous model. Modeling doesn't always have to be revealing. All her other pictures but that one are just amazing.
	on August 11, 2011 TammyK 1,073 said: She's beautiful and it's clear that she has a face for modeling. It's just hard starting so young because I find that they are more susceptible to things like eating disorder. Even if she's the one who wants to do modeling, she's not matured enough to think things through. That's why parents are needed to make the right decision for her and her future. I think her parents doesn't want their little girl to get hurt, but at the same time, it's hard for them to pass up this opportunity. I think that as long as she stays grounded, and have strict parents that can guide her away from all the bad influences along the way, she can be extremely successful later on like how she is now.
	on August 11, 2011 takoda 28,648 said: She is a very beautiful little girl, but its hard to say when I don't have all the fact behind the start of her modeling. If she was the one that asked to do this then why is it any different then all the child actor's that are exploding all of the air waves and radio waves now? If she wanted this, is enjoying this and is still able to be a child on her time off then why not. Kids are doing so many things these days, two and three different sports, a few different types of dance class's and yes even modeling. Thylane's modeling could be seen as just another activity for a child to do when not in school. On the other hand if her family took one look at her and said we have a very pretty little girl hear. We should see just how much money she can make for us and are making her do something she really isn't enjoying at all. Then someone should step in and at least have a good talk with the whole family. Let them know that if she's this good of a model at this age she can be even better if given the chance to grow into her own person. If she still wants to do this when she in her teens, like most girl's that start in big fashion, then let her go for it again. How ever chances are that wouldn't do much good because the family is probably depending on even penny she's making now. Although if they continue to allow her to model, they should at least take more care in how they allow her to be photoed at this age. My best friend was a child model and she did pretty well at it, but as soon as it wasn't any fun for her any more, her mother put a stop to it. Her mother was also at ever photo shoot making sure nothing happened that shouldn't be happening. So its hard for me to just say this is flat out wrong when I don't know everything behind it. I'll say this though, if she was my daughter she wouldn't be having pictures taken of her like some of these!