Just 3 and a half years old, Iris, a young girl from Villarreal, has recently distinguished herself as a child model. Until finding himself in the semi-final of a Belgian international competition. Story of an unusual adventure.
For many children, this Saturday, January 4, was a Saturday like any other. But, for Iris, not really. That day, at the age of 3 and a half, she followed a rather special coaching session, in Belgium, with her parents. Both, already impressed by what they consider to be disconcertingly easy for her. “When we took the photos for the book, people were surprised. They thought she did this on a regular basis, but she didn't. She took pleasure in striking poses…”, rejoice Giselle and her companion. Before saying more about the program for this type of morning: “Since the casting, there have been three. During these sessions, she enters her world. She learns to maintain posture, to parade…”
Between competition and advertising collaboration
Iris is participating for the first time in the Top model Belgium kids academy. A competition aimed at allowing children from various countries to enter the very select world of professional modeling (read below). “This summer, Giselle, (the mother, editor’s note), saw a call for applications on social networks. We are often told that Iris is pretty, what's more, she was also the subject of requests from modeling agencies as a child, so we just filled out a form and attached photos,” recalls the father. Without really knowing what will happen.
But after a few weeks, good news arrives. Iris is selected and the organizers invite the little family to go to Belgium to make a first photo book in preparation for the semi-final show. The shooting takes place on November 11 with, on the program for Iris, the fitting of two outfits: one in denim and one in a bohemian style. And everything is going well. Giselle is delighted. “It made me happy. Even when she was a baby, people stopped and took photos of her. It just confirmed what they were saying, which was that she was pretty and she should do this,” she confides. “She loves it too. » Iris agrees with a smile.
“It is small, we must preserve it too. We are very careful. »
Especially since this is not the first time that she has been noticed in this universe. In November 2023, a headhunter contacted them to offer to give their daughter various castings. In the spring of 2024, this was done for the Kickers ® brand. A great first which ultimately goes well. “We were afraid she would be lost, and no! » This will perhaps not be the last in this area. “She is registered with a large Parisian agency with which we have an exclusive contract. She is also signed with an agency in Lille, because they do not compete with each other,” explains the father. “On the other hand, if tomorrow we were approached by agencies from the south, we would not go. It's too much. »
A grand finale Saturday May 3
The important thing for both parents is to see their little girl having fun. “We really start from the principle that it must remain an experience. We don’t force it and when she doesn’t want to, she knows how to say it,” explains the dad. “It is small, we must preserve it too. We are very careful. Every time there are things that get done, it’s on Wednesday or the weekend…”
Even if, as they admit, they had applied “without thinking” to Top model Belgium kids academy, they did not fail to “find out more information” in order to verify the seriousness of the competition. The next stage, the semi-final, will take place on Sunday January 12, at the Dôme Eventhall in Brussels. During a fashion show, Iris will have to parade in front of a jury made up of fashion professionals who will be responsible, with the public – the votes cumulatively – for selecting the finalists.
If the little girl stands out again, she will be able to participate in the grand final, Saturday May 3, 2025, always under the proud and serene gaze of her parents. As Giselle concludes: “I trust her. It's something she likes. »
Dominique Lemoine
Top model Belgium kids academy, what is it?
Created in 2008, Top model Belgium kids academy is a competition aimed at “helping the youngest (between 2 and 17 years old, editor’s note) to flourish and find their place in the fascinating world of modeling and advertising”. Having as godmother Adriana Karembeu, famous top model and TV presenter, Top model Belgium kids academy is in line with Top model international (formerly Top model Belgium), which is reserved for girls and boys aged 15 to 40 years old. As reported by the Belgian media La DH, this competition celebrated its 20th anniversary in March, in Monaco, in the presence of a slew of celebrities, including Shy'm, Denitsa Ikonomova and Baptiste Giabiconi.
