Advertisement

Belgium fan gets modeling contract after being pictured at the World Cup

Belgium fan gets modeling contract after being pictured at the World Cup

For complete World Cup 2014 coverage visit Yahoo Sports and follow @YahooSoccer

As everyone watching on television has come to realize, the World Cup is really just an elaborate ploy arranged so camera operators can film the mix of attractive and oddly dressed people who fill the stands during the matches.

One fan who caught the attention of several photographers was 17-year-old Belgium supporter Axelle Despiegelaere. Pictures of her in the stands at Belgium's group stage matches against Russia and South Korea were used on websites and in newspapers around the world. She set up a Facebook fan page (which currently has more than 21,000 likes) and when she returned to Belgium at the conclusion of the group stage, she was booked for television appearances as her sudden fame grew.

(Getty)
(Getty)

Though Belgium's national team was eliminated in the quarterfinals by Argentina after beating the U.S. in the round of 16,  Despiegelaere's greatest World Cup reward has now come in the form of a modeling contract with cosmetics company L'Oreal. And she's already filmed a promotional video for them.

But with the quick fame has come equally quick controversy. Despiegelaere has drawn social media criticism after posting a picture of herself hunting the Oryx Gazelle in Africa.

Pamela Anderson famously got her start after appearing on the big screen at a Canadian football game and Paraguay fan Larissa Riquelme has built a modeling career of her own after photographers found her in the stands at the 2010 World Cup. So if you're looking to start a career as a model or actress, just attend as many sporting events as you possibly can and everything should work out just fine.