This is news that we did not expect. Wednesday August 2, 2023, the day after the death of Geneviève de Fontenay, the Miss Rhône-Alpes regional committee published a confusing press release on its account instagram official. A press release following the announcement on July 31, 2023 from the committees of Miss Loire, Miss Rhône, and Miss Drôme Vallée du Rhône, of their wish to “to dissociate oneself from the Miss Rhône-Alpes committee, from its president Patricia Recanati and, consequently, from Miss France organization”. An unprecedented decision, motivated by financial considerations. In question, the brand sub-license granted by the regional committee to the departmental committees. “The price was a little inflated and we refused to make this contribution to support this Rhône-Alpes committee, which itself is supposed to be an independent committee”, explained Mam ‘Issabré, the president of the Miss Rhône departmental committee on BFM Lyon Tuesday, August 8, 2023.
The Miss France election threatened?
In the press release published by the Miss Rhône-Alpes committee, its president Patricia Recanati expressed her thanks to the volunteers of the committees concerned for their commitment, despite their decision. The Miss France delegate declared, on behalf of the regional committee: “The committee can only be saddened. Everyone is responsible for their choices, and we take note of the desire of these departmental delegations to no longer be affiliated with the Miss France brand.. Anxious to ensure a quality competition, she added: “However, we wish them all a good continuation in the charitable commitments they have decided to follow, it is admirable!” As for the rest, the president of the regional committee wanted to be reassuring: “May our candidates hired this year be reassured, we will accompany them until the election of September 23 and even after, then we look forward to meeting them during their future preparation weekends.” The committee should meet to discuss “the way of organizing these territories”. Anyway, the next election may be the last for these departments.