In a big moment for the Miss France competition, 20-year-old Eve Gilles won, making history by having short hair, which goes against a tradition that lasted for a hundred years. This symbolizes the pageant’s move towards being more diverse. But, not everyone is cheering – some people are happy about the change, while others are criticizing the pageant, saying it’s just following popular trends.

Eve Gilles’ Triumph at Miss France

Gilles, a mathematics and statistics student from Nord-Pas-de-Calais, celebrated her victory as a “victory for diversity.” In her post-win speech, she emphasized the importance of individuality, stating, “every woman is different, we’re all unique.” Gilles pledged to defend the values of strong women, challenging the conventional image associated with beauty queens.

Backlash on Social Media

While Gilles’ victory marks a step forward, the aftermath saw a hostile response on social media. Critics targeted her thin frame and compared her to other contestants, questioning the authenticity of her win. Some cynically speculated that her victory was a calculated move to appease “woke” culture.

Miss France Gilles’ Response

Even when people criticized her online, Gilles stayed strong. In an interview with Le Parisien, she said,

“People criticising me over my hair doesn’t bother me, because I can change my hair,” Gilles told the French daily Le Parisien in an interview after her victory. “I chose this hair, but I didn’t choose my body, or my metabolism. I don’t understand how someone can criticise a person over something they cannot change.”

Advocacy for STEM Education

Gilles, aiming to utilize her platform, intends to encourage children, especially young girls, to pursue mathematics and science. She believes that changing the narrative around the difficulty of math education can make these subjects more accessible and enjoyable for students. Her passion for mathematics is a central element of her advocacy.

Evolution of Beauty Pageant Rules

The Miss France pageant underwent a significant transformation, embracing modern ideals of diversity. Rule changes included the removal of the age limit, allowing married contestants with children and visible tattoos to participate. Trans contestants have been included since 2019, marking a departure from traditional pageant norms.

Remaining Challenges

Despite these rule changes, the contestants of Miss France 2024 remained relatively homogenous. Notably absent were mothers, and the median age of contestants remained consistent. The requirement of a minimum height of 1.70 meters, attributed to camera framing, persisted. The absence of plus-sized contestants highlights the continued challenges in achieving true diversity within the pageant.

Eve Gilles’ triumph in the Miss France 2024 pageant marks a pivotal moment in the history of the competition.