World Cup's 'Hottest Fan' Goes from Viral Sensation to Modelling Contract, Then Crashes Hard

Axelle Despiegelaere, once dubbed football's "most beautiful supporter," shot to fame during the 2014 FIFA World Cup while cheering for Belgium. She became an overnight sensation at the Maracana Stadium, where she was spotted with pom poms and a devil horn hat, embodying the spirit of her national team.

Belgium's squad, led by coach Marc Wilmots, showcased a golden generation of talent, including Kevin De Bruyne, Eden Hazard, and Romelu Lukaku. They dominated their group stage matches and advanced to the quarter-finals, defeating the United States before falling to Argentina.

Amidst the excitement of Belgium's performance, Despiegelaere's image went viral. Photographers couldn't resist capturing her enthusiasm, leading to her being labeled the World Cup's "sexiest fan." This attention caught the eye of L’Oreal, who quickly offered her a modelling contract.

Initially, it seemed like a dream come true. Axelle became the face of a social media campaign for L’Oreal, promoting beauty products and even sharing a hair tutorial video. However, her rise was short-lived.

Things took a nosedive when she posted a controversial photo on Facebook. The image showed her with a hunting rifle next to a dead oryx, captioned with a statement that trivialized hunting. The backlash was immediate and fierce.

Despite her claims that it was just a joke and she didn’t intend to offend anyone, the damage was irreversible. L’Oreal swiftly terminated their contract with her, although they never confirmed if the hunting photo was the sole reason for their decision.

Fast forward twelve years from her meteoric rise and fall, and the now 29-year-old Despiegelaere has shifted gears. She co-founded Spinvest Group, a family-owned property development and investment company in Belgium.