Fate of model named 'world's most beautiful girl' after her stinging accusations from mum

Daily Record

08-05-2025

She was crowned the 'world's most beautiful girl' as a toddler, now 19, Kristina Pimenova is speaking out about the scandal that rocked her childhood and how she turned it into a powerful comeback.
Once hailed as the 'world's most beautiful girl' during her childhood, model Kristina Pimenova has risen above public scrutiny to establish a successful career with some of fashion's biggest names.
Now 19, the Russian-born talent has worked with brands such as Vogue, Armani, Dolce & Gabbana, Burberry, and Monnalisa — all while preparing to launch a promising career in acting.
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Despite early fame, Kristina remains grounded. Her Instagram bio reads simply: 'beauty is inside' — a modest sentiment that contrasts with the media frenzy she experienced as a child model starting at just three years old.
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Her mother, Glikeriya — a former model herself — faced harsh criticism for sharing photos of her young daughter online, with some accusing her of 'sexualising' Kristina. Glikeriya firmly rejected those claims, defending the innocence of the images and the naturalness of her daughter's poses, reports the Mirror.
'You must think like a paedophile in order to see something sexual in these pictures,' she responded to critics in 2014, adding, 'She is just a little girl attracting attention — sadly, some of it from disturbed individuals.'
Now, years later, Kristina sees that turbulent chapter as a source of strength. Reflecting on the backlash, she said, 'It gave me the determination to be anything I want for a while.'
She has recently impressed audiences with her acting, including a performance in a stage adaptation of Fyodor Dostoevsky's Crime and Punishment in Russia.
In a recent interview, Kristina recalled how her modeling journey began: 'It happened naturally. I was just playing around — it was like a game. I didn't even know what it was. It became a big part of my childhood, and it turned into making friends and traveling. It all felt very natural.'
With more than two million Instagram followers, Kristina now receives widespread support and admiration — a far cry from the divisive public reaction her mother once faced. A fan of the Harry Potter series and a rising figure in both fashion and film, Kristina Pimenova is charting her own path with resilience and grace.