Update 12/7/14:
Axelle Despiegelaere’s association with L’Oreal is no more.
The cosmetics giant has told The Independent that the 17-year-old’s contract had been “completed”. L’Oreal has refused to comment on whether Despiegelaere’s controversial hunting photos (see update below) had anything to do with their decision.
Despiegelaere was scouted as a L’Oreal model after a picture of her cheering on the Belgian World Cup team went viral. You can read the whole story below:
Update 10/7/14:
A controversial photo has emerged of World Cup fan-turned-model Axelle Despiegelaere apparently hunting big game in Africa.
The image was uploaded on 2 July, but the caption says it was taken ‘about a year ago.’
The teenager is now facing a barrage of criticism on social media for the image, which appears to depicts her with a gun and a dead Oryx Gazelle, the Sydney Morning Herald reports.
A comment attributed to Despiegelaere on Facebook reads: “Hi, I didn’t mean to offend anyone… it was a joke, thanks for understanding.”
In recent weeks, American teenage hunter Kendall Jones came under fire on social media for posting similar images of dead African animals she’d hunted. Facebook deleted all photos of Jones with the dead animals in response.
Previously, Mamamia wrote…. Belgium soccer fan Axelle Despiegelaere was just a face in the crowd two weeks ago — but that face has now made her $50,000 richer.
The 17-year-old blonde was photographed in the crowd at a Belgium-Russie World Cup game two weeks ago cheering for the Belgian team, the Red Devils — and her photo went seriously viral.
The business-minded teen then made a Facebook page to showcase a few more fan picture of herself– and the page gathered almost a quarter of a million ‘likes’ in just weeks.
Male soccer fans flooded the page with notes of admiration, and international newspapers picked up the image, making the blonde something of an unofficial mascot for the Red Devils. On Tuesday, Despiegelaere announced she had won a modelling contract with L’Oreal.
“Feeling excited,” she wrote.
She’s now filmed a promotional video for the French cosmetics and beauty company.
Watch the video here:
Top Comments
Another week, another "hot chick" killing wild animals.
Here's hoping Jennifer Lawrence isn't a closet hunter, hey Mamamia...
Oh, don't say it! Don't even think that!
Aah, the Belgique, one week you're shooting l'onyx, the next week shooting L'Oreal.
They could shoot in the Congo as a nod to Despiegelaere's heritage.
Having just had to cut and paste Despiegelaere's last name twice, I'm predicting a stage name in her near future.