Thylane Blondeau was crowned the "most beautiful girl in the world" at age six. She has since carved out a successful career in the modelling world, keeping her private life under wraps until the news of her engagement was confirmed this week.
The 24-year-old French model debuted her sparkling rock at Paris Fashion Week and revealed she would be marrying her partner Ben Attal, 28.
The fellow Frenchman and DJ proposed to Thylane while on holiday in Greece, after the couple had reportedly been dating for almost six years.
"I said yes to my best friend. Here’s to forever," the famous child star posted on her Instagram, alongside a cosy picture of the couple at the seaside and a collection of other images that showed off her huge diamond ring.
Thylane is the daughter of French footballer Patrick Blondeau and TV presenter Veronika Loubry, and was given her "most beautiful" title by Vogue Enfants as a child, growing up in the public eye.
At four, she walked for Jean Paul Gaultier and at ten, she became the youngest model ever to pose for Vogue Paris. But how have decades of emphasis on her appearance shaped her as a human being and impacted her self-esteem? HELLO! asked a child psychologist to decode the effect of Thylane's childhood fame.
© WireImageWhy labels surrounding children's appearances can be dangerous
As a child develops their sense of self and personality, placing too much emphasis on any aspect of their character or appearance can heavily influence their perception of who they are as they grow older.
HCPC-registered Senior Education and Child Psychologist Dr Sasha Hall, who has over 15 years of experience, explored Thylane's particular circumstances as a child and weighed in on how being so heavily praised for her appearance could have affected her teenage and adult years.
She told Best Quality Designer Handbag : "When adults place strong labels on children, especially labels about appearance, it can narrow how that child understands their own value. If a child repeatedly hears that she is the most beautiful girl in the world, the message she may absorb is that her worth lies primarily in how she looks.
"In early childhood, identity is still developing, and children rely heavily on feedback from the adults and systems around them. When that feedback centres on appearance, other qualities such as curiosity, kindness, determination and creativity may receive less attention."
The expert continued: "A label like this can also create pressure. Beauty changes over time and a child may feel that she has something she needs to maintain or protect."
© Penske Media via Getty ImagesBody image, self-esteem, and mental health woes
While Thylane decided to embrace the comments made early on about her looks, turning it into an opportunity for a successful modelling career, for some children, the opposite may happen.
Worries about body image issues and self-esteem challenges were raised by the psychologist, who outlined the problems that arise with pointing out a child's physical attributes too early.
Dr Sasha explained: "A label of this scale can lead to a fragile form of self-esteem because it places such a strong emphasis on external validation. Praise for appearance can feel positive in the moment, but if self-worth becomes closely tied to being seen as beautiful, confidence can become dependent on how others respond.
"Adolescence is already a period when many young people become more aware of their bodies and how they are perceived. Carrying a global label about beauty may intensify that awareness. It can create a sense that people expect to be impressed by how you look, which can make a person feel constantly observed or evaluated."
She added: "When attention is focused so strongly on appearance, some young people can become more vulnerable to body image concerns and appearance-related anxiety. There may be pressure to maintain a certain image or fear that natural changes will affect how others see them. This can contribute to perfectionism around looks or a reliance on external approval.
"In some cases, it can increase the risk of difficulties such as disordered eating, anxiety or body dysmorphia. These outcomes are not inevitable, particularly if a child has supportive adults around them who emphasise a broad sense of identity and self-worth beyond appearance."
How labels shape adult identity and relationships
Habits and perceptions we learn as children can often stick with us well into adulthood and shape the way we see ourselves and how we think others see us, too.
Becoming famous for a label that surrounds appearance could have a colossal impact on a person's relationships with others as they have grown up with an external emphasis rather than being noticed for personality traits.
"When a child grows up hearing that her most notable quality is her appearance, it can encourage her to organise parts of her life around maintaining that image," Dr Sasha revealed.
© InstagramShe went on to say: "This can influence career choices and opportunities, particularly in industries where appearance is highly valued, and it may create a sense that this is the role she is expected to fulfil.
"In relationships, there can also be an added layer of uncertainty. If someone has been admired primarily for how they look, they may question whether others are drawn to their personality, values and character, or whether the attraction is centred on their appearance and public image.
"That can make trust and authenticity feel more complex, particularly in romantic relationships where feeling valued for who you are as a person is important."
