Thylane Loubry Blondeau, 10-Year-Old Model, Ignites Debate Over Sexualization Of Young Girls (VIDEO, POLL)

How young is too young?

That's the question being batted around in reference to Thylane Loubry Blondeau, the 10-year-old model whose suggestive photo spreads have ignited a debate over the sexualization of young girls.

"Good Morning America" took a look at some of Blondeau's recent photo spreads for Vogue Paris, which feature the young girl in lipstick, high heels and tight dresses, and a slew of smoldering "come hither" stares.

Although Blondeau, the daughter of soccer player Patrick Blondeau and reporter-turned-fashion designer Véronika Loubry, appeared in the Vogue Paris shoot with other young models, her looks were more mature and for many readers, more discomforting.

A little research shows that little Blondeau has been at this for a while, frequently photographed for editorials (Fashionista has several here), the cover of Vogue Enfants (see pic below) and even walking in Jean Paul Gaultier's Spring 2006 runway show as a child extra.

Reactions to the recent, jarringly-adult editorial have ranged from perplexed to utterly appalled, with most questioning the appropriateness of a child consistently photographed like an adult and sexualized in the process.

But there are those voices who have defended the photos, such as the blogger behind "F**k Yeah Thylane Loubry Blondeau" (which has been renamed simply "Thylane Léna-Rose Blondeau.")

On the site, the blogger argues that the mini model looks "stunning", saying, "I just wished that some people would see the beauty in them too" and "stop having such a judgemental attitude."

However most critics are saying that with the appearance of an arguably-sexy 10-year-old model, the line has been drawn. And as "Good morning America" reminds us, thirteen-year-old Elle Fanning for Marc by Marc Jacobs and fourteen-year-old Hailee Steinfeld for Miu Miu raised a few eyebrows.

Quick Poll

Is Thylane Loubry Blondeau too young to be striking a pose?

ABSOLUTELY. Sexy photo shoots are no place for a 10-year-old.

NOPE. Nothing wrong with a beautiful child model.

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WATCH:

Comments

[SuzyScorp]

11:37 PM on 08/19/2011

They asked what's next to come... How about the shock factor of a Vogue spread of a 2 year old toddler girl, decked out in high fashion clothes, as her diaper peers through.... Very creepy.. Please stop!!

[lizmcq]

09:54 PM on 08/19/2011

Has anyone ever seen "Toddlers and Tiaras"? totally CREEPY. They dress up 2 year olds in make up, false eyelashes, wigs, even fake teeth!! Swim suits, party dresses and costumes that are totally weird for a BABY. This story is not news. Besides, the kid ain't all that...

[AhoyWarschawa]

09:33 PM on 08/19/2011

I think this is perfectly fine, honestly. The girl wasn't naked, and from what I saw, she was actually covered quite well. This is an art, and one that some people don't really understand and perhaps take the wrong way. French Vogue, and most Vogues in Europe actually, are well known for having "racy" spreads in America. And unless you are informed and aware of how our cultures differ, you probably will think this is inappropriate. But I, for one, think it's fine as long as they aren't purposely displaying her in a pornographic way. What is normal and acceptable in Europe is quite different from what we think here, and that's just the bottom line...

[f0t0o1]

12:57 PM on 08/19/2011

This is creepy...just plain creepy. Trying to make anyone who has an objection to this feel like it is somehow their fault, well that is just deceptive. These images were meant to portray this child in a way incongruous with other 10 year old CHILDREN. How many 10 year old CHILDREN do you see in 5 inch spikes? I mean really. How many 10 year CHILDREN do you see in full face wearing such frocks? Photography of this sort is to convey a fantasy for the viewer. What fantasy is being conveyed?

[abrellis]

02:01 AM on 08/16/2011

They just need to restrain from dressing her up as an adult in what is being viewed as risque. Heavy makeup for a kid is not natural nor appropriate. Using it makes it seem they are trying to market her body as an adult.

[pinupgirl]

03:52 PM on 08/15/2011

Maybe the French should keep their "avant gard" lifestyle to themselves. We have enough issues with our society already. I was just reading an article about padded push up bras for 7-12 years olds and I think I just threw up in my mouth...now this!!! Please stop supporting the dumb reality shows, not speaking up or doing anything about the bad fashion "sense" about padded bras for little girls, or this disgusting article about the 10 year old looking like a pdophiles dream...stop pretending that this is not getting out of hand...boycott all this crap and bring back our American values. This is enough to make someone go out and buy a can of CREEP REPELANT.....ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh

[bolduck20]

02:31 PM on 08/15/2011

This is so depressing. What kind of creep would look at these photos!? And who is the 32% of people that say there's nothing wrong with a beautiful child model? The keyword here is CHILD. This poor girl is being loved for her beauty. What about her insides, her personality, her mind, her heart, her soul? I bet that no where in the Vogue magazine does it discuss this. Sadly, the first thing that people say when they look at a little girl is, "Oh! She's so cute!" No one asks her about Yeah, it's important to look decent, but come on. If Vogue had pictured this same girl in a normal 10-year-old's clothes, let's say a T-shirt and pants, or pajamas, would they have sold as many copies? No! My point here is that the only reason this girl has any fame is because she has good looks. Never mind if she is, to be blunt, dumb as a box of rocks or a child Einstein.

[cre8tiondevine]

01:47 PM on 08/15/2011

She looks very sad to me. I think the camera catches her sadness.

[mlic975220]

12:18 PM on 08/15/2011

No one is forced to look at the photos of this 10 year old. Not saying they are right or wrong--but we do have the freedom here in the USA to look or not at them. Not sure what sort of parents let their 10 year old pose or look like this, but it's their right I suppose. Poor kid though, she's being set up to have some big disappointments if she's this popular this young.

[tarzan322]

02:20 PM on 08/15/2011

Freedom comes with responsibility, not only to yourself but society as a whole. Otherwise we are simply a more intelligent animal.

[cargo47]

03:42 PM on 08/15/2011

..this French Mum is the sort of parent that uses her kid as a cash cow.

[tdsmith771974]

12:14 PM on 08/15/2011

I'm not sure how people can say it's just a girl playing dress-up. Any child I've ever seen playing dress-up usually has makeup smeared over their faces, hair is usually put up clumsily, shoes and clothing way too big, and it's cute! The first pic of her with the white dress in the field is cute, but these other ones are way over the top for a 10 year old. She's a pretty girl, with a wonderful future of modeling ahead of her, but put her in age appropriate clothes.

[Blackie Ray]

06:43 PM on 08/14/2011

She looks pretty. That is not the problem. The pedophiles are who need to be reigned in. Having said that, making children look like adults does them no favors, whether you let girls wear makeup or let boys carry toy guns. Mimicking those facets of adult behavior tends, (not always), to not bode well as they grow up. Hell, if you want them to imitate adults, buy her a microscope. Buy him a rake, or a crescent wrench.

[Tikvah Bethany Adler]

10:16 AM on 08/14/2011

makeup doesn't make people look more "sexual" unless that's what makeup means to the viewer. in my opinion, makeup looks like part of a costume on people of any age or gender.

[SteveM39]

12:44 AM on 08/14/2011

I don't get it. She looks like a 10 year old playing dress up. "hips jutting, hair up, on a tiger skin"? Really? That's sexy? To whom?

And who would buy those clothes for their 10 year old?

Another story intended to create mock outrage at the collapse of morality and the abuse of children.

I wish people got half as excited about obese children chowing down on pepsi and french fries all day in front of the tv. That's abuse that is rampant and a real threat to our children. On my list of top 1000 things I worry about for children, fashion photographers is no where close to making it.

[PHILLYWILLI]

12:13 AM on 08/14/2011

I THINK MOST PEOPLE ARE MISSING THE POINT, WE ARE NOT SAYING IT IS PORN,WE ARE SAYING ALLOW A CHILD TO BE A CHILD, THE BEAUTY IN A CHILD IS THERE INNOCENT WIDE EYED LOOK NOT THE COME HITHER LOOK....BY MAKING UP A CHILD IS SAYING TO THEM THAT THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE WAY YOU LOOK AND LETS FIX IT WITH MAKEUP, A LITTLE MAKEUP IS OK FOR A 14 OR 15 YEAR OLD BUT NEVER FOR A 10 YEAR OLD, UNLESS THEY ARE PLAYING WITH THEIR GIRLFRIENDS IN THEIR BEDROOM....BESIDE YOU GET CREEPS LOOKING AT THESE CHILDREN IN A DISGUSTING SEXUAL WAY AND IN FACT PUTTING THEM AT RISK FROM A NUT LOOKING AT THIS CHILD WITH SOME TYPE OF LUST AND IF YOU THINK THEY ARE NOT THEN YOU ARE PART OF THE PROBLEM

SORRY FOR THE CAPS, I AM NOT SHOUTING I ALWAYS TYPE IN CAPS

[EmmaGold]

09:26 AM on 08/14/2011

Yes, you ARE shouting. Stop it.

[PHILLYWILLI]

12:12 PM on 08/14/2011

I WOULD HOPE THAT YOU ARE JOKING AND NOT SERIOUS OVER SOMETHING SO TRIVIAL

[Indicahoots]

11:28 AM on 08/14/2011

Ya know, it you hit "Caps Lock" again, it will turn off. Just sayin'.

[PHILLYWILLI]

12:10 PM on 08/14/2011

THANK YOU INDICAHOOTS BUT IT I TURN CAPS OFF I CAN NOT SEE IT
FOR VISION REASONS, AND I DO HAVE THE ZOOM LEVEL TO 300 ALREADY

[abrellis]

05:34 PM on 08/13/2011

Adorable pics and not porn. The establishment convinced that "the spirits" demand certain types of clothing on the human biology or it's wrong would just have a heyday with ancient Rome.

All other species don't even wear clothes..they are an invention unnatural to the body with all sorts of laws requiring they need to be worn. If this girl was ugly, no one would be criticizing the modeling. I just left WalMart watching an Arab guy escort his wife who was in full drab except for part of the face...poor lady..it was almost 100 degrees in the blazing sun...OMG do not worry, men will not lust for your wife...she never gets any sun and looks ill...Vitamin D is important to all parts of the body.

lol