In an interview she gave to TV-Leisure, Iris Mittenaere (Miss France and Miss Universe 2016) is committed to the evolution of the regulations of the famous beauty contest.
Should we change the rules of Miss France? For several years, voices have been rising against the (too strict?) Rules imposed on the contenders of the famous beauty contest. This year, the tension even increased between the organizers of the event and certain feminist associations. And for good reason, the group Dare feminism has filed an industrial tribunal appeal against the company Endemol, owner of the mark, for violation of labor law. According to them, the absence of remuneration for the candidates for the title of Miss France during the evening of the election (and the month of preparation which precedes it) posed a problem. As well as all the “sexist clauses” imposed on candidates to apply (being single, measuring at least 1.70 meters, not being tattooed, not smoking or drinking in public, not having children, etc.).
Faced with this legal action, the Miss France committee had changed its mind. Very upset, Alexia Laroche-Joubert, the boss of Adventure Line Production had not evaded these questions during a press conference organized at TF1 in mid-November. “We worked on the show’s editorial line and production conditions. It has consequences. Both artistic, legal, technical … This is why, this year, the 29 contenders who will parade on the evening of December 11 will have employment contracts.“, she had indicated before announcing a reflection on the selection criteria of Miss:”The rules of participation have always been part of the evolution of women in society while preserving the raison d’être of a beauty contest: elegance, beauty, charm and empathy, intelligence . It is the French who define what a Miss France today is. So yes, there may be some criteria that may seem a bit outdated. Sylvie (Tellier) has always worked with the committee to be in touch with the times. Personally, maybe the word “celibate” was not well understood, that perhaps this term is too legal and needs to be changed. Maybe we were too restrictive on tattoos too… We have to talk about it as a priority with the committees, because they are the ones who make the selection in the first stages.“.
“We should not have a filter from the start of the selections“
Asked about the question, Iris Mittenaere, Miss Universe and Miss France 2016, pleaded for a total overhaul of the regulation. “For me, we should do like Miss Universe, abolish all the rules, she told us. It would be even better. Let people choose the Miss they want and to let them choose it would be necessary not to have a filter at the start of the selections“.
In this interview, the co-presenter of Ninja Warrior (who returns on Friday January 7, 2022 on TF1) gave some confidences on Diane Leyre, Miss France 2022. “It was my favorite from the start, she blurted out straight away. Initially, I had two: Miss Nord Pas de Calais which is still my region and Dianey Leyre. I was very happy that she won this crown, she fully deserves it. The evening of Miss France there is a special energy, there is always something special that emerges from the future winner and this year it was Miss Ile-de-France. Right at the start of the election, when I saw her arrive on the stage I said to Diego (El Glaoui, his companion. Editor’s note) and to the people around me: “she’s the one who will win, that’s for sure”. I was not wrong (she laughs). I have the impression that the night of the election, the girl who will become Miss France arrives on stage and gives off a particular aura. It has nothing to do with what we see before, the photos, the preparatory trip, it really is the same evening. His fate is already mapped out. It was Diane’s and she more than deserves it“.
The full interview with Iris Mittenaere can be found in the 1870 issue of Télé-Loisirs on newsstands since Monday, December 27, 2021 (programs from January 1 to 7, 2022).