Model dubbed ‘most beautiful' at age 9 caused controversy — here's what the 19-year-old is doing now

New York Post

08-05-2025

A model was dubbed 'the most beautiful girl in the world' at age 9, but it didn't come without criticism.
Kristina Pimenova's blue eyes and long blonde hair helped her claim that title at such a young age. Now, the 19-year-old from Moscow, Russia, is studying at drama school and hopes to become an actress.
12 Kristina Pimenova's blue eyes and long blonde hair helped her claim that title at such a young age.
Pimenova/e2w
But her time in the spotlight as an adolescent sparked criticism against her mother, Glikeriya Pimenova, who is also a former model.
Critics claimed that Glikeriya sexualized her daughter by posting provocative and seductive pictures of her during her childhood.
12 Kristina Pimenova spent her time as an adolescent in the spotlight.
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12 Kristina Pimenova is now 19 years old.
Instagram / @kristinapimenova
12 Kristina Pimenova is a model from Moscow, Russia.
Instagram / @kristinapimenova
'Some years ago, I posted a picture of little Kristina on the beach in the Maldives hugging her three soft toys and laughing,' Glikeriya said in a 2014 interview with MailOnline. 'She was holding all her toys in front of her chest and hugging them, and you know what comments I got to this picture?'
''Oh, she is covering her breasts because she thinks she has something to hide!' Can you believe it? I think people who post something like this have serious psychological problems,' she continued.
In the interview, the mom slammed the claims, saying, 'I do not accept those accusations about the sexualization of my child.'
12 Kristina Pimenova is studying at drama school and hopes to become an actress.
Instagram / @kristinapimenova
12 Kristina Pimenova performed in Fyodor Dostoevsky's 'Crime and Punishment' in Russia.
Instagram / @kristinapimenova
12 Kristina Pimenova has had roles in films such as 'The Russian Bride,' 'Secret Neighbor,' and 'Creators: The Past.'
Instagram / @kristinapimenova
'I am certain in my mind all her photographs are absolutely innocent. I have never asked her to take this or that pose, and in fact I must say she does not especially like it when I am photographing her, so I do it quickly and when she doesn't notice,' Glikeriya argued.
'You must think like a pedophile in order to see something sexual in these pictures, so it is time for you to see a doctor.'
However, those comments didn't stop Pimenova from working with major fashion brands such as Vogue, Armani, Burberry and Dolce & Gabbana.
12 Kristina Pimenova with her mother Glikeriya Pimenova, who is also a former model.
Pimenova/e2w
12 Critics claimed that Glikeriya sexualized her daughter by posting provocative pictures of her during her childhood.
Pimenova/e2w
12 Kristina Pimenova has worked with major fashion brands such as Vogue, Armani, Burberry and Dolce & Gabbana.
Instagram / @kristinapimenova
Despite her supermodel status, Pimenova remains humble, writing in her Instagram bio, 'Remember beauty is inside' — and she feels the controversy made her more determined to 'be anything I want for a while.'
'Modeling happened naturally for me when I was younger, I was just like, 'Let's try this', I didn't even know what it was,' she said in a conversation with Avant School, per the Daily Mail.
'I was just playing around; it was like a game. For me, it was a big part of my childhood. It turned into making friends traveling, so it was just really natural.'
12 Kristina Pimenova started modeling as a child.
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12 Kristina Pimenova with her mother Glikeriya Pimenova.
Pimenova/e2w
While she still continues to model in the fashion industry, she's focused on her acting career — and has even been able to put her skills to work, performing in Fyodor Dostoevsky's 'Crime and Punishment' in Russia.
She has also had roles in films such as 'The Russian Bride,' 'Secret Neighbor,' and 'Creators: The Past.'