This article was originally published on Kueez
Traditionally, the most beautiful kids are scouted early for modeling gigs. But even without an agency, young faces can now get famous on social media. What do they look like when they get older? And what are they doing as adults these days? We've tracked down the most striking, world-famous youngsters and discovered what they're currently up to. For more on their updated looks and whereabouts, read on!
Thylane Blondeau Was Once Named the Most Beautiful Girl in the World
It would probably be too much for most of us to handle. At just six years old, French child Thylane Blondeau was already modeling. The photographers couldn't believe their eyes. Informally, a nickname started going around: Thylane was the “most beautiful girl in the world.”
It's quite a title to live up to, and most would fall from grace. But as Thylane kept getting gigs, she continued to wow the professionals all around her. Some people were just born for the world of posing and presenting. 11 years later, she's still in the industry. What does she look like, all grown up?
Today, She May Just Be the Most Beautiful Gal in the World
Behold, the new Thylane! Looking at her features, one is reminded of her viral childhood photos. But she has clearly become more graceful and refined. Currently represented by IMG, the model works for big names like L’Oréal and Dolce & Gabbana.
It's easy to understand why high fashion wanted her. But if you've been on Instagram lately, you may have come across some of her more casual photos. Baseball caps, miniskirts, and athleisure are all in the mix. What may not be evident online is her secret height: At 5'6", she is considered one of the shortest models out there!
Kristina Pimenova Was a Child Model and We All Can See Why
Kristina Pimenova had a pretty famous dad, but he was not in her industry. He was a professional soccer player in Russia. Papa probably never thought about the business of child modeling until he started to get comments and offers. At just 3, Kristina began her career in fashion! Quickly, she also started hearing that she was the most beautiful girl in the world.
It's unusual that Christina collaborated with Prada, Roberto Cavalli, Burberry, Armani and Dolce & Gabbana before she was even in middle school. She made the cover of Children’s Vogue, too. Who even knew that was a magazine?
It Surprises No One to See She Is Taking Over Instagram
The Pimenova family eventually moved to LA to take advantage of opportunities that Russia could not offer. Kristina actually auditioned to play Renesmee Twilight. Saga. Dawn: Part 1. She didn't get the gig because her English wasn't good enough yet.
Christina is still hoping to make it in the movies. But until then, she is still doing quite well as a model. Reports say that her net worth is currently around $3 million. That's not bad, since she is actually just in high school!
Sofiya Razuvaeva Was Dubbed a Supermodel Before She Even Hit Middle School
Yet another top model from Russiam, meet Sofiya Razuvaeva, who keeps getting comparisons to supermodel Natalia Vodianova in her adult career today. It's interesting to look back and see how the great beauties of our time looked as kids. Here, Sofiya is just 11.
You can see that she already has some natural comfort with the camera. Just a few years after this artsy photoshoot, Sofiya would look much more mature. Let's take a look at what she's up to these days!
Sofiya Is Now at the Very Top of Russian Modeling
Sofiya is a stunner, for sure. The young Russian model has gained a lot of followers online in recent years, after several haute couture campaigns in her home country. IMG Models is the agency that has already snatched her up. Smart move, IMG!
For now, her social posts are all in Russian. But the rest of the world hopes to get to know her soon, too! Perhaps her manager can arrange that when she gets bigger. We are pretty sure that's a guarantee!
Laneya Grace Started Her Modeling Career at the Age of Three
Former child model Laneya Grace has a mixed background. Her genes come from Spanish Europeans and Filipinos, which created a look that the photographers found interesting from an early age. She was always photogenic, it seems. Look at this darling pose!
Laneya was born in San Francisco, and her professional gigs started at age three. These days, she's a Wilhelmina model who works for brands like Guess. She also made an appearance in a major music video: Avicii's hit, "Wake Me Up." Will you recognize her? Let's take a peek!
Laneya Is Beloved on Instagram and We Can Clearly See Why
These days, Laneya has a pretty decent Instagram presence with more than 326,000 followers. She promotes trendy Swedish headphones and shows off couture photoshoots. And quite remarkably, she hasn't even graduated high school yet!
The model describes herself today as a California girl who has moved to Texas. She is represented by Je Model Management and various talent agencies that might get her into acting soon. Will you be seeing Laneya on any upcoming shows? There is definitely some chance!
Believe It or Not, Jade Weber Was Born in Hong Kong
Lil' Jade Weber is French by family tree, but she was born far away in Hong Kong. Since 2011, though, she has been living in Los Angeles. It was the logical move after her random discovery by a photographer at age nine.
Her bright blue eyes stand out the most, even from an early age. Like many youngsters on our list, Jade was named one of the most beautiful kids in the world, repeatedly. Where did all this media recognition get her?
Jade Weber Now Has More Than 470,000 Followers on Instagram
Jade Weber grew up to be just 5' 5", which is perfectly normal. But for the adult modeling world, more height is usually demanded for fashion runways. No worries, though: She seems to be doing just fine as an actress!
The bilingual beauty has made appearances in a number of films, like Runaway, Color My Dreams, and Moment. She still knows how to use her French when she needs it, and she also knows a bit of Mandarin. She was born in Hong Kong, after all!
Little Aussie Meika Woollard Was an Early Face in Fashion
Down Under, Meika Woollard became a top Australian kids' model at just three. She was featured in commercials and fashion shoots as a wee one. She shot campaigns for big brands and debuted as the star of Kids Fashion Week. Then, she got a contract at age 12 with IMG.
Fun fact: Meika has two younger sisters who are also models. They all grew up together in Victoria. As an authentic resident, she ate quite a few Vegemite sandwiches — and even claims to like them. Is she still in Australia, today?
Today, She Is Still One of the Most Sought After Faces in the Biz
Now a teen, Meika is represented by Giant Management and IMG. She seems to keep busy playing basketball and perfecting her social media game. She had more than 335,000 Instagram followers before she even started high school, so there is plenty to manage!
Without a doubt, Meika is one of Australia's most well-known teen influencers. Her career has started off so strong that she could retire now and claim credit. But it doesn't seem like she has any intention of going to college to pursue another profession. Not a surprise!
Those Baby Blues Made Cydnee Black Stand Out in Any Crowd
Cydnee Black is a Denver native who currently lives in LA. Youtube fans of the beauty genre probably have seen a few of her videos. It all started in 2013 when she introduced her best makeup and hair hacks. Since then, she has racked up more than 26 million views!
As a black person with naturally blue eyes, she regularly receives questions about them. They are not color contacts, and people cannot seem to understand the phenomenon. There is definitely a reason, though. What did she find when she investigated the matter?
No One Would Deny Cydnee Is a Real Stunner These Days
She's been told she is gorgeous, but she might not be able to hear it clearly all the time. Cydnee is actually completely deaf in one ear. She has Waardenburg Syndrome, a genetic condition that not only changes your eye color but changes your hearing. Who knew?
As a self-employed content producer, Cydnee has brought her cosmetic talents to new platforms lately. Expanding from YouTube, you can find her on Instagram, Twitter, and Snapchat. Odds are, you will see new questions about her striking eyes in those comment sections, too. But now, you know the reason!
Lucky Blue Smith Was Scouted at the Age of 10 and We Do See Why
Who said that boys can't be models? There is certainly work for them out there, and Lucky Blue Smith would now. He was scouted at age 10, as seen here. There is something high fashion about this child's face, isn't there?
He and his three sisters grew up in Utah. But as soon as it was clear Lucky had a real future in modeling, the entire family moved to LA. By age 12, Lucky was signed to a modeling agency. What does he look like, all grown up?
We Would Be Lucky to Be Half as Handsome as Mister Blue
Why he's a very good-looking man! Now in his early 20s, he has already built quite a resume. The runways love Lucky Blue, and he has walked for Chanel, Fendi, and Tom Ford. He's been in numerous ad campaigns for brands like Calvin Klein and L'Oreal.
On Instagram, millions of people follow this male model. But in case any ladies get the wrong idea, Lucky is already a married father. He recently married fellow model Nara Pellman, and they have a daughter named Gravity. Quirky choice!
Yael Shelbia Would Be Named the Most Beautiful Adult Face in the World
Yael Shelbia was born in Nahariya, Israel. Her family was pretty religious, compared to most, and she was one of five kids. Professionally, mom was a realtor and a librarian and dad was a factory supervisor. Totally normal stuff, really.
What no one expected was the whirlwind career she is currently enjoying. The beginning was simple: When Yael uploaded selfies online, she got an immediate professional offer. Photographer Marina Moskowitz wanted to take her picture. How did that all turn out?
Looking at Yael, It’s Not Hard to See Why She Got So Much Buzz
Recently, media around the world declared that Yael has the most beautiful face on the planet. While beauty is somewhat subjective, it's easy to see why she was a contender. Now in her 20s, Miss Shelbia is simply stunning!
So far, she has appeared in campaigns for Kylie Jenner's new skincare range. She has made numerous TV appearances, too. But for now, the model is mostly busy doing mandatory service in the Israeli army. Just like all her peers!
Maddie Ziegler Was on Dance Moms and Wore a Wig for the Sia Videos
No matter how much she grows up, people will always remember Maddie Ziegler for some of her childhood work. First, she was a standout star on the reality show Dance Moms. Then, she starred in a series of music videos for pop star Sia. She always wore a wig, and her performances were incredibly unique.
To be clear, they garnered 5 billion views on YouTube. For a child dancer, that was, and still is, unprecedented. It might even be a record for adult dancers! Time magazine named her one of the "30 most influential teens", three years in a row. What is she up to, right now?
Grown Maddie Ziegler Got All Glam, All of the Sudden
These days, she still dances. She returned to reality TV as a judge on So You Think You Can Dance: The Next Generation. Her nationwide tours with Sia seem to have come to a close, but they remain close. What a mentor to have, right?
Maddie seems to be obsessed with fitness gear these days and models it on Instagram. She has also been in a few films, like The Book of Henry and The Fallout. It all started when she was a child, and Maddie's career has really never slowed down!
Gigi Hadid Was a Kiddie Model for a Guess Clothing Campaign
Jelena Noura Hadid is her name. But you probably just know her Gigi, like millions of fans. Born in Los Angeles to an Arab father and a European mother, she was raised with a sister and a brother. All three are models, today. And mother Yolanda was too, back in her day!
Early on, Gigi got involved with a Guess campaign for kids. But she took a break to enjoy high school and train in horse riding. Here she is, in elementary school! Although she is much younger, her face is instantly recognizable.
It Was Always Gigi’s Destiny to Dominate the Modeling World
Obviously, we all know the story now. Gigi Hadid is one of the most recognizable faces in fashion today. She's been in a Calvin Harris video, and walked runways across the world. Along the way, she kept dating singer Zayn Malik. What's their status, these days?
Why, they're new parents together! Zayn and Gigi are now mom and dad to a daughter, whom they named Khai Hadid Malik. Gigi has been documenting her pregnancy on Instagram with artistic photos of her belly. Real fans already knew this was going on!
Supermodel Irina Shayk Came From a Poor Background in Russia
Irina Shayk is one of the biggest names in modeling today. She sure appears to be living large on Instagram. But her life was complicated at the beginning. Born in Yemanzhelinsk, Russia, during the Soviet Union, she had a mixed household. Her father was a coal miner of Tatar ethnicity, and her mother was a light-skinned Russian who worked at a kindergarten.
Tragically, her father died when she was 14. From then on, her family had little money. Mom had to get a second job, and life was challenging. What this schoolgirl didn't yet know was that she was destined to be rich, and absolutely gorgeous.
Irina Shayk Can Now Buy Her Beloved Mama Anything She Needs
At this point, millions know this face from campaigns for Intimissimi, Victoria's Secret, and Lacoste. She gained a lot of fans from her appearance in the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue. And now, she's trying her hand at a few new things.
Some may have noticed her as Megara in the film Hercules with Dwayne Johnson. She's also a mom with ex Bradley Cooper. Yes, that's right: She has a daughter, too! Odds seem high that we might see another generation in modeling, with that genetic combo.
Cara Delevingne Had an Older Sister Who Already Modeled a Bit
Model and actress Cara Delevingne grew up in London where got her first job at age ten. Was it for a local store? No, it was actually a fancy editorial shoot alongside a Vogue model. Quickly, she was signed by Storm Management.
Quickly she was recruited to runways, and became the face for Burberry for years. It's interesting to look back and see what she looked like at a young age, now that we know her so well. She clearly had a unique look, and that's what high fashion is all about.
Cara Remains One of the Most Striking Faces We’ve Ever Seen
Today, Cara Delevingne is one of the most googled fashion figures out there. She is followed by millions on social media and has the fortune of being one of the top ten highest-paid models in the world. Not bad, Cara!
But wait — what's her net worth? A fair question, since she has been in the industry for so long now. Now in her late 20s with a growing movie resume, estimates put her at $28 million. She's not retiring yet, either!
It’s Easy to See This Is a Young Angelina Jolie
We all know who she is today. But what did Angelina Jolie look like, before she was a Hollywood goddess? It seems that the truth is out, now: The woman never had an awkward period! Like none of us, basically.
Born to a Hollywood actor and a European model, she was probably always destined to be beautiful. Here, Angelina is all dressed up in dainty lace. But actually, she went through a goth period as a youngster, not long after this.
Angelina Will Always Be One of Hollywood’s Most Unique Beauties
Angelina Jolie is pretty focused on being a mom and a UN ambassador, these days, But no one can forget how perfectly she played Lara Croft: Tomb Raider, or a psycho in Girl, Interrupted. Her acting is sometimes talked about less than her beauty. But is that right?
Her large lips and exotic eyes really made her stand out in the Hollywood crowd. Director Clint Eastwood once said that she had "the most beautiful face on the planet" and that this hurt her credibility with audiences. Could that be true?
We Can Actually See the Future Heidi Klum in Her Face
Supermodel Heidi Klum is more than one in a million. She is a priceless part of fashion history, at this point. But where did it all begin? Fans have questions, and we have answers. That answer is Bergisch Gladbach, a city near Cologne. Germany is proud to call her a native daughter!
As a child, you can see the adult Heidi in her face, right away. She is still unaware of what awaits her, in this photo. But in just a few years, she would win a beauty contest out of 25,000 local gals. The rest, as they say, is history!
Heidi Klum Is One of the Original Supermodels From the '90s
In the decades that Heidi Klum has been a fashion icon, she has graced every cover imaginable. From Vogue to Russian Harper's Bazaar, she has been in steady demand. She often hosted the Victoria's Secret fashion shows and posed for their ads. Nowadays, her fortune sits at $160 million.
Along the way, Heidi made time for a family. She's had 4 kids, and gotten married and divorced twice. Now, she's on hubby number three. This time it is an energetic 31-year-old German guitarist. She's even recorded R&B music with ex-husband Seal. Now it's time for rock and roll!
Looking Back, Bar Refaeli Fiercely Posed Even as a Child
As a child, Bar Refaeli didn't know she would one day be the biggest Israeli ever. But she was cast a child model pretty early on. It's no wonder she was chosen, looking at her here. She just knows how to pose!
Her very first gig was actually at the tender age of eight months, though it is unlikely she remembers it at all. She was in commercials for a few years, too. But when she got braces, modeling was put on hold. No brace face for ads, sorry!
Bar Refaeli Is Also a Fierce Businesswoman Behind the Scenes
Bar Refaeli is an Israeli model that had had immense commercial success. After making the cover of the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue, she was suddenly voted to number one on Maxim magazine's Hot 100 list. Could that be connected to her dating life, perhaps?
As you may recall, Bar was in a relationship with Leonardo DiCaprio for several years. Perhaps Americans first heard of her then. But it's worth knowing that Bar has been an incredibly busy bee behind the scenes for years building herself an eyewear company. She has also since married an Israeli businessman and had three kids. By the way, her husband is a billionaire.
Aussie Chris Hemsworth Had a Lot of Handsome in His Family Tree
Chris Hemsworth is probably the most successful of the strapping Hemsworth boys, though it is a close competition. Before he was Thor, he was a boy in the outback. We've tracked down a photo of vintage Chris. Do you recognize him here?
What gene pool contributed to his movie star status today? The Hemsworths are a European mix from across the continent: Their heritage is Dutch, Irish, English, Scottish, and German, at least. Chris has since had his own kids. Which European nation is their mother from?
Chris Is the Hunk of Everyone’s Dreams but He Is Taken
It's sad for millions of women, but Chris has been married for some to Spanish model Elsa Pataky. They met through their reps, and it's been a love story ever since. So far, they have a daughter and twins sons. Where in the world do they all reside?
Several years ago, the family moved away from Los Angeles to Byron Bay, New South Wales. That's Australia, of course. Perhaps he wants his kiddos to have the same rugged experience with crocs and kangaroos he had. It seems to be have been a winning formula!
Yara Shahidi Posed for Brands Like Gap, Disney, and Ralph Lauren
At just 6 years old, Yara Shahidi began a career in fashion. She was quickly recruited by big names from Ralph Lauren to Mcdonald's. She seemed to have a look that companies found extremely marketable, in print and on TV. Here she is, back in the day!
In 2009, Yara was featured in a movie. And not just any movie: She acted alongside Eddie Murphy in Imagine That. Then, what do you know — she was in Salt with Angelina Jolie. Things just started going up, up, up for the child model. Where is she now?
Lately, Yara Shahidi Has Used Her Famous Face for Activism
Yara Shahidi was cast in a great role on a recurring TV series called Black-ish as the eldest daughter. That was a great steady paycheck. She has pursued other shows and movies since, plus one more thing: She founded a platform called Eighteen x 18. But what is it for?
It's a social news publisher, and the goal is to drive young voters to the poll for the very first time. Only time will tell how effective it is, but you can see where her heart is these days. At the moment, she is in the middle of a BA at Harvard. She is busy with Interdisciplinary Sociology and African American Studies, but she will be back to moedeling soon.
Little Kaia Gerber Was Born to Two Parents Who Modeled
If you haven't heard of Kaia by now, it's time for a crash course. Supermodel Cindy Crawford married a male model named Rande Gerber. At some point, this resulted in Kaia. Looking at her from a young age, you can see real resemblance to mom!
But if you don't see it now, wait a few years for the update. Mom and daughter turned out to be the exact same height. Both are 5'9″ — and of course, Kaia took after her mother's career. They now look remarkably similar, if you compare them both in their early 20's. Let's do that, now!
Kaia Gerber Frequently Makes Her Mama Proud on the Runway
It's Cindy, reborn! But actually, it's not. It's Kaia, and she's as unique as we all are. Now a regular on runways across the world, it's no wonder designers flocked to the leggy brunette. The looks in this family are simply top-notch, generation after generation.
Kaia was given the Model of the Year honor in 2018 at the Fashion Awards, a rare honor in the biz. In her personal life, she's been dating other young talents in entertainment. Pete Davidson was a notable example that got press. But that's all over now: Kaia has been enjoying time with actor Jacob Elordi, as of late.
Brooke Shields Got Too Much Attention as a Child Model
From a very young age, photographers were interested in Brooke Shields as a model. Some of the early photos that surfaced were a little strange, and probably wouldn't be allowed today. But it was long ago, and Brooke has come a long way. Some of her vintage ads from yesteryear offer nostalgia to everyone in her generation!
Modeling started at just 11 months old, as some fans may have read. It's hard to imagine that someone could look at a baby and know the modeling potential. They all look so squishy! But someone saw something in Brooke, and it led to a career that has spanned more than 50 years in fashion and entertainment.
Brooke Shields Is Still Going Strong With Her Love of Colgate
These days, Brooke is not doing as much acting or modeling as she once did. But for fun, and possibly a sweet chunk of money, she agreed to revive her vintage Colgate partnership. Toothpaste recommendations appear to be her forte! She's got a gorgeous smile, and we believe her.
Brooke Shields is a legend, and she has the bank account to prove it. Her net worth these days hovers around $40 million. Being beautiful clearly pays well. If this model has any say in the matter, she won't be retiring anytime soon.