Charlotte Le Bon, the talented actress and former model, recently opened up about her challenging past during her appearance on the talk show 'C à vous' on France 5, on March 13, 2025. Currently gracing the screen in season three of the acclaimed HBO series 'The White Lotus,' Le Bon addressed her tumultuous modeling career, which spanned seven years and left her with mixed feelings.
During the interview, Le Bon, who portrays Chloé—a retired model and partner to a wealthy man—shared her experiences with the fashion industry. "I found it isolative, quite dehumanizing," she expressed, reflecting on the loneliness of constantly traveling and being away from friends. Discovered at the tender age of 16 in Montreal, Le Bon quickly became immersed in the world of high fashion. Despite her success—she even became the face of the popular perfume brand Lolita Lempicka—Le Bon never walked the catwalk. "I was considered 'too short and too fat' for runway shows," she explained, highlighting the unrealistic standards within the industry.
Her remarks touched on the harsh realities of modeling, as she stated, "I spent seven years of my life being told I was not up to par." This sentiment captures the often-unforgiving nature of the modeling world, where physical attributes are critiqued under the unforgiving gaze of industry professionals. Le Bon admitted to feeling marked by these experiences, which affected her relationships and sense of identity.
"I didn’t make many friendships," she confessed. The demands of modeling limited her social circle and contributed to feelings of isolation. This perspective is even more poignant coming from someone who has transitioned to acting, where collaboration and camaraderie are more prevalent. She implicitly contrasted her current role, where she engages with cast mates, to the solitary nature of modeling.
Reflecting on her portrayal of Chloé, Le Bon noted the similarities between her character and her own life experiences. The character navigates her existence through the comfort of wealth and engages with superficial aspects of life, which echoes some of Le Bon’s industry experiences. The production was not without its challenges, as the filming took place under tough conditions in Thailand—a fact she humorously noted by saying, "You put together hundreds of people for six months in almost unbearable heat, and yes, there are tensions and dramas off-camera!"
Despite the obstacles she faced, Le Bon acknowledged the opportunities modeling presented, enabling her to travel extensively and gain financial independence—an aspect she finds herself thankful for. “It's thanks to this job I got to work in France because otherwise, I would have never left,” she stated, reflecting on the duality of her experiences.
The conversation epitomizes the conflicts many aspiring models face, as they strive for acceptance within the industry's rigid frameworks, often at the cost of their self-worth. Le Bon’s candid admissions are both refreshing and alarming, shedding light on the pervasive issue of unrealistic beauty standards.
Now more than ever, the dialogue around beauty norms is shifting, with Le Bon concluding her interview with: "Everyone is beautiful." This statement encapsulates her desire for inclusivity within the industry, encouraging future generations to embrace their unique attributes without conforming to narrow definitions of beauty.
Her role on 'The White Lotus' not only marks her transition from modeling to acting but also signifies her newfound voice as advocate for redefining beauty standards. Charlotte Le Bon is undoubtedly taking strides toward reshaping the image of women within the entertainment and fashion industries, empowering both the audience and her peers to challenge societal norms.