And Miss France 2024 is… This Saturday, December 16, during a spectacular ceremony organized at the Zénith in Dijon and broadcast live on TF1, one of the thirty regional Misses will win the coveted title. A new coronation which will bring back many memories to Cindy Fabre. On December 4, 2004, Miss Normandy received the prestigious crown from the hands of her predecessor, Lætitia Bléger. For Gala.frMiss France 2005 and director of the competition has agreed to come back to this evening which turned her life upside down.
Gala.fr: How did you end up in the Miss France competition?
Cindy Fabre: Every year, Miss France was quite a family moment at our house. As I grew up very quickly, my family told me that I had to register for Miss France. I was so convinced of losing that my mother showed me an article informing of the arrival of Geneviève de Fontenay in Calvados. I told her that I was going to register, that I was going to lose and that way, she was going to leave me alone (she laughs).
Gala.fr: How did your loved ones react to this participation?
Cindy Fabre : They were so happy and so proud. They believed in it and I absolutely didn’t. They were very invested in this mission. We went looking for an evening dress, because I didn’t have anything.
Gala.fr: What state of mind were you in on the evening of Miss France?
Cindy Fabre : I was very fulfilled and very happy. I felt like I was experiencing an end-of-year show at a dance school. I had been dancing for over ten years. I loved what we were doing and we had some lifts. I wasn’t into competition at all. I just wanted to put on a show for the audience.
Gala.fr: Have you apprehended the famous question of Jean-Pierre Foucault ?
Cindy Fabre : I was a little unconscious because I absolutely didn’t think I would arrive at that moment. In fact, for me, the priority was the show. When Jean-Pierre Foucault asked me the question, I answered completely off the mark because I had not prepared it at all. I was asked a question, I answered it and went into explanations. I responded from the heart because I really enjoyed this adventure. It was great to be able to represent my region.
>> PHOTOS – Cindy Fabre: look back at her physical evolution
Gala.fr: What is your worst/best memory of election night?
Cindy Fabre : There is no worst memory. In all situations, even those perhaps the most unpleasant, we try to find the positive in the negative. That’s the strength of Miss France. Otherwise, I have total amnesia from election night (she laughs). It was such a shock. Fortunately there were the images to remind me of what I had done. My best memory certainly remains the choreographies. Afterwards, that doesn’t mean that the coronation isn’t a good memory. I have another best memory from my reigning year. I hadn’t been able to celebrate my 18th birthday, so I was looking forward to celebrating my 20th birthday. Except that I was told that I was going to Madagascar with a journalist and a photographer. I was a little sad. Finally, when I got there, I got the best birthday present. Children in a slum wrote: ‘Happy birthday Cindy!’ on their little slates. They had planned a cake. I tried to bring them my good humor. I couldn’t change their city but they changed mine at that time.
Gala.fr: What was your first thought when you were elected?
Cindy Fabre : I was very worried at that time because I didn’t know what was happening to me. I kept asking myself: ‘What’s going on?’, ‘Who are these people calling me by my first name, even though they don’t know me?’, ‘What- what extraordinary thing have I done to get them acclaim?’, ‘Where are my parents?’ (she laughs). I didn’t understand why Geneviève asked me to say hello. I was completely lost.
Gala.fr: If you had the chance to change something, what would you do?
Cindy Fabre : It really is consciousness. I missed this realization. I cried with worry because I didn’t realize what was at stake. If I had anything to change, it would be this. I would like someone to say to me: ‘Cocotte, now you know why you are here.’ Rather than leaving me in my bubble telling myself that it was fun and that I was having a great time without really understanding what was at stake.
Gala.fr: How did your coronation at Miss France turn your life upside down?
Cindy Fabre : This coronation changes the way people perceive you. All of a sudden, and then we have access to the inaccessible. Suddenly, all doors are open to us and everything becomes almost accessible. The scarf has the power to open doors for us and meet extraordinary people, from all social backgrounds. It’s a fairy tale. I would even say a magic wand placed above a cradle changes a woman forever.
Gala.fr: You have just completed your first year as director of the Miss France competition. What missions did you set for yourself?
Cindy Fabre: The transmission of values was very important to me, as guardian of the temple. Since the death of Geneviève de Fontenay, I want to make young women aware that this competition is the oldest existing competition in the world. It is part of our heritage and is so dear to the French. If the election is so anticipated at the end of the year, it is because behind each leadership, there are people who are working to preserve this beautiful jewel. I also wanted to highlight our territory, our terroir, all our regions. When people ask me what the most beautiful country is, I always answer France. It is an inexhaustible source of knowledge and discoveries. And then, it was magical to be able to transform a woman’s life. I tried to support Indira as best as possible (Miss France 2023, editor’s note) because it is not always very simple. It is often said that only a Miss France can understand another Miss France. It really is. We go through all types of emotions. We must realize how lucky we are to be able to meet people who are proud to introduce us to their passion, their region and their profession. It was really an enriching year for me, both with Miss France and with all these meetings. In all of this, I wanted to support the Miss as best as I could, with my experience as a former Miss France, a former delegate and business manager.
Gala.fr: Throughout this year, you formed a nice duo with Indira Ampiot, Miss France 2023. What did you think of his reign?
Cindy Fabre : I think I told millions of French people on stage during the elections, Indira is an almost perfect Miss France. She doesn’t complain, she smiles all the time, she enjoys every moment, she’s never tired or makes it feel like it. She has a real zest for life. This is what we look for in a Miss France. His youth was never a subject. I saw her evolve. It’s a mixture of sadness and pride to see her. They’re like our children, even if the age difference is tiny. It’s always impressive to see little chicks grow into beautiful, accomplished young women.
Photo credits: Denis Guignebourg / BESTIMAGE / Montage Gala.fr