At 18, she was one of the world’s most sought-after models. But a diet of just three apples a day nearly killed her. Five years later, her shocking story reveals the dark side of the fashion industry.
From catwalk dream to dangerous reality
At just 18, Victoire Maçon-Dauxerre was living the dream so many teenagers imagine. She had been scouted in the street by a talent agent and quickly rose to become one of the most in-demand faces on the international fashion scene. Runways, photo shoots, glossy magazines—her career seemed unstoppable. But behind the glittering lights, Victoire was caught in a spiral of self-destruction that would nearly cost her life.
Three apples a day
Her diet was reduced to a shocking minimum: three apples a day. Once a week, she allowed herself a little fish or chicken. The results were rapid and dramatic—she lost around ten kilos in just two months. Yet, as she later explained, the weight loss never brought satisfaction. “The thinner I got, the fatter I felt,” she admitted. That inner voice wouldn’t let her stop. Soon, her 1.78-meter frame weighed less than 47 kilos.
A family’s wake-up call
Victoire’s mother discovered the harsh truth in a moment she would never forget. One day, seeing her daughter naked in the bathroom, she was struck by the sight of her skeletal body. Panicked, she brought her a roast chicken, which Victoire devoured in minutes. This scene highlighted what doctors have long warned: anorexia is not just about willpower or appearance—it’s a mental illness. According to the World Health Organization, eating disorders have some of the highest mortality rates of all psychiatric conditions.
The breaking point
The pursuit of thinness came at a devastating cost. Victoire developed anorexia, then bulimia, and eventually sank into depression. In her book Never Too Thin: Diary of a Top Model, she recounts how she attempted suicide and was hospitalized in a psychiatric clinic. She also exposed the irony of the fashion world: despite being pressured to lose more weight, her photos were often digitally altered to make her look healthier. “They added thighs and cheeks,” she revealed, underlining the absurd standards imposed by the industry.
Rebuilding a life beyond modeling
Stepping away from fashion was the beginning of her recovery. Theater became her therapy. She studied in London, trained at a conservatory, and even performed at Shakespeare’s Globe. Acting gave her a way to reconnect body and mind. Today, she plays chef Vanessa in the popular French TV series Demain nous appartient. She has also appeared in the hit show Vikings, and is now co-producing a film adaptation of her book.
Fighting for change
Victoire has turned her painful past into a mission. She works with associations such as Imhotep and Ateliers Mercure to push for healthier standards in modeling and better mental health policies. Her message is simple but powerful: “You cannot impose a sick body as an ideal of beauty—it’s criminal.” Her journey from near death to rediscovering life is a reminder of the hidden costs of an industry that often prizes image over health. For young women dreaming of the catwalk, her story stands as both a warning and a beacon of hope.
