Next destination, Mexico! The competition to elect Miss Universe 2024 will take place from Saturday night to Sunday to elect the person who will succeed Nicaraguan Sheynnis Palacios, who was crowned last year in El Salvador. The 73rd election in the history of the competition, which is being held this year in Mexico City (Mexico), will be broadcast live on Paris Première from 2 am
To represent the colors of France, it was not Ève Gilles, our Miss France 2024, who flew across the Atlantic, but her predecessor, Indira Ampiot, Miss France 2023. The 20-year-old young woman has been preparing for almost a year for this election like any other. “It’s a big preparation that will keep me very busy,” she told us in December 2023, a year after her coronation.
National costume on the theme of the Palace of Versailles
Since then, the former Miss Guadalupe has spent six months in London (United Kingdom) to take intensive English courses, an asset for the competition, which includes numerous events, to run as smoothly as possible. She hopes to achieve a better result than Diane Leyre last year. In fact, Miss France 2022 did not qualify for the top 20 of the competition.
The French have already made a strong impression thanks to their national costume unveiled this Thursday, which paid homage to French symbols, from the flag to the rooster, including the beret and the cock.
For this unique piece, the designer Vanessa Boimond worked for two weeks, installing the rhinestones one by one. No less than 42 m of fabric was needed to make the train.
So Indira Ampiot hopes to achieve the third French crown, almost eight years after the coronation of Iris Mittenaere. Miss France 2016 was crowned on January 30, 2017 in Manila (Philippines) just ahead of Miss Haiti, the first runner-up. She was the second French woman in history to win the Miss Universe title, 63 years after Christiane Martel in 1953.
A multi-day tournament
The specificity of the competition is that the competition is spread over several days given the number of participants. The 127 contestants for the prestigious crown arrived in Mexico at the end of October to take part in the election. To decide between them, a jury is made up of artists, fashion designers and even a former Miss Universe, Margaret Gardiner, who was crowned for South Africa in 1978. Unfortunately her country will not be represented: Mia Le Roux, Miss to bring South Africa. up the competition last Thursday due to health problems.
Only 30 Misses will be classified during the ceremony and their names are almost certain at this time: 25 candidates have been selected on the basis of the swimsuit and evening dress parades, as well as an interview with the jury. Another four will be chosen as “queens of the continents”, namely one per geographical group (Africa, America, Asia-Pacific and Europe). The thirtieth semi-final will be qualified by public vote. Indira Ampiot can be supported on the dedicated site, but be careful, it costs money.
During tonight’s televised competition, the lucky 30 will once again parade in swimsuits, before being whittled down to 12. The final twelve beauty queens in the competition will then take to the stage in evening gowns, only finally be more than five. Then they will answer questions from the jury, live and in English, before the name of Miss Universe is finally announced, as well as the name of the four runners-up.
For the first time, no age limit
Among the new features this year is the removal of the age limit for participants. Although they had to be at most 28 years old on election day, candidates for the Miss Universe title can now run regardless of their year of birth, as long as they are old. Therefore, there are 24 participants over the age of 30 for this 2024 edition for Miss Malta, Beatrice Njoya, who has just celebrated her 40th birthday.
Last year, the Miss Universe rules were changed and for the first time married women and married mothers were allowed to participate, although this had been expressly prohibited since 1957. There are also no required body measurements, regardless of the weight or size of the Miss in competition. Twelve countries, including Iran, Eritrea and Somalia are participating for the first time.
Indira Ampiot is competing with a companion from her native island: Coraly Desplan is in charge of representing Guadeloupe, which is being presented independently for the first time since 1984, just like Martinique with Catherine Édouard. Both women won the local Miss Universe elections held in their lands, a different competition from the one organized by the Miss France company.
How has the role of contestants in the Miss Universe pageant evolved over the years?
Interview: The Evolution of Miss Universe and Its Cultural Impact
Interviewer (Time.news Editor): Welcome to our special segment on beauty pageants and their profound cultural implications. Today, we have the pleasure of speaking with Dr. Sofia Marquez, a cultural anthropologist and expert on global beauty standards. Thank you for joining us, Dr. Marquez!
Dr. Sofia Marquez: Thank you for having me! I’m excited to be here and discuss such a timely topic as the Miss Universe competition.
Editor: The 2024 Miss Universe competition is just around the corner, set to take place in Mexico City this weekend. This year, the competition features 127 contestants, including representatives from various cultures. Why do you think events like Miss Universe continue to draw such large interest?
Dr. Marquez: Beauty pageants have evolved over the years into significant cultural phenomena. They not only serve as a platform for showcasing beauty and fashion but also as a lens through which we can examine societal values and standards of beauty. The Miss Universe pageant, specifically, promotes cultural representation and global awareness, providing contestants the opportunity to advocate for issues close to their hearts.
Editor: That’s a great point. I noticed this year’s national costume for Miss France pays homage to French symbols, featuring iconic items like the beret and the rooster. How important is cultural representation in such competitions?
Dr. Marquez: Cultural representation is crucial. A national costume allows contestants to express their heritage, adding depth to their participation. It becomes a storytelling medium, where elements symbolize historical and cultural narratives. It’s heartwarming to see contestants like Indira Ampiot embrace their roots while also aiming for international recognition, which reflects globalization’s influence on local identities.
Editor: Speaking of Indira Ampiot, she’s prepared extensively for this competition, including spending six months in London for English training. How does preparation reflect the broader trends in beauty pageants?
Dr. Marquez: Preparation has become increasingly rigorous and strategic. Contestants are not just judged on their beauty and charm anymore, but also on their ability to communicate and engage. Mastery of language, public speaking, and advocacy skills are essential to stand out. This shift aligns with a broader societal trend that values intelligence and capability alongside traditional beauty.
Editor: It’s fascinating that the competition includes various elements, such as an interview segment with the jury and public voting. How has the structure of the competition changed over the years?
Dr. Marquez: The structure has been adapted to enhance audience engagement and inclusivity. By incorporating interviews and public voting, the Miss Universe competition allows viewers to feel a connection to the contestants. It creates a sense of investment in their stories, moving away from purely visual assessments to a more holistic evaluation of character and aspirations.
Editor: This year’s competition also highlighted that only a select number of contestants will advance based on various criteria, including swimsuit parades and evening gown presentations. How do you view the combination of traditional and modern elements in the judging process?
Dr. Marquez: The integration of traditional elements, like swimsuits and evening gowns, with modern assessment criteria reflects the ongoing negotiation between beauty standards and evolving social values. While there is a nod to classic pageantry, the emphasis on personal narratives and advocacy demonstrates a shift towards a more meaningful representation of beauty, aligning with contemporary ideals of empowerment.
Editor: Before we wrap up, do you think the Miss Universe competition can play a role in challenging or changing societal beauty standards?
Dr. Marquez: Absolutely! When contestants use their platforms to advocate for diversity, body positivity, or social issues, it creates crucial conversations. Through their visibility, they can challenge normative standards and represent a wider spectrum of beauty. The competition can indeed evolve into a powerful catalyst for social change, promoting values that resonate with younger generations.
Editor: Thank you, Dr. Marquez, for sharing your insights on the Miss Universe competition and its cultural significance. It sounds like this year’s event in Mexico will not only highlight beauty but also introspection and advocacy.
Dr. Marquez: Thank you! I look forward to seeing how this year’s contestants will leverage their platforms for positive change.
Editor: Stay tuned for more updates as we keep an eye on the Miss Universe pageant and its unfolding narratives. Thank you for reading Time.news!