'Most beautiful girl in the world' leaves people divided as they realise what she looks like now

A passionate debate has been ignited online, after a woman once dubbed the 'most beautiful girl in the world' shared a photo of herself today.

Thylane Blondeau was ceaselessly featured on magazine front pages and photographed at high-profile fashion events as a child, firstly sky-rocketing into the spotlight when she was just three years old.

The youngster's success began, however, when she caught the attention of an agent for the fashion design veteran Jean Paul Gaultier at an event along the Champs-Elysees in Paris.

Her piercing blue eyes, golden complexion and luscious locks made her a hit with several other huge-name talent agents - including he likes of Miu Miu, Dolce & Gabbana, L'Oréal Paris, and Versace. Most famously, she appeared on the cover of Vogue Enfants.

The beauty sky-rocketed to fame as a toddler (Instagram/@‌thylaneblondeau)

As the portfolio of the French star - who has also worked for Ralph Lauren and Hugo Boss - began to grow, she soon garnered the nickname 'the most beautiful girl in the world'.

Blondeau's professional endeavours began grounding to a steady halt when she approached seven years old, however, and like any normal child, she went on to enjoy several years of vital education.

The now fully-grown woman - who is 24 and works as a part-time model and a fashion and beauty entrepreneur - has recently shared a number of snaps on social media, revealing what she looks like today.

Her recent snaps have caused quite the controversy, however, with many slamming the expectations that came with the nickname she was given as a child.

Still a jaw-dropping beauty, the former child star - who happens to be the daughter of French footballer Patrick Blondeau and TV presenter Veronika Loubry - still boasts the bushy brows, long eyelashes and plump lips that first sealed her stardom almost two decades earlier.

Blondeau looks vastly different to how she did as a child (Instagram/@thylaneblondeau)

After the new snaps were reshared by the New York Post, however, one hit out at her previous title: "It’s sad to name a child as the most beautiful child in the world, it’s weird."

Another agreed: "Putting six-year-old children and ranking their beauty in the world speaks volumes for where we are culturally, overall."

A third continued: "All little girls are beautiful."

Back in 2018, Blondeau told press she hopes to distance herself from 'the most beautiful' nickname.

"Even today, people are like, 'You are the most beautiful girl'," she told The Telegraph at the time.

"And I'm like, 'No, I'm still not, I'm just a human being, a teenager'."

Discussing how she found fame with a Gaultier agent as a toddler, Blondeau went on to recall: "My mum said, 'No, she's not with an agency, she can't do this'.

"Jean Paul Gaultier said, 'She has to be there tomorrow'. So Mum was like, 'Why not?'.