Three brave women who participated in a beauty pageant but did not win have joined forces with a feminist group called “Dare to be Feminist” to take legal action against Miss France. The lawsuit alleges that the pageant and the production company behind it, Endemol Production, discriminate against contestants based on their appearance.
The lawsuit argues that Miss France violates French labor laws by imposing strict requirements on contestants, such as being single, a specific height, and a “representative of beauty.” Additionally, participants must not have body piercings, except for their ears, but are not obligated to lose weight or change their hairstyles.
In the past, contestants in the beauty pageant were eliminated if they engaged in any behavior considered “contrary to good morals, public order, or the spirit of the contest, which is based on the values of elegance.”
According to Violaine De Filippis-Abate, a lawyer for “Dare to be Feminist,” French labor laws prohibit employers from discriminating based on morals, age, family status, or physical appearance. The lawsuit argues that Miss France discriminates on all of these grounds and more.
The success of the lawsuit hinges on whether the beauty pageant and the television company are considered employers or not. If they are deemed employers, they would be in direct violation of French labor laws. However, if the beauty contest is not classified as employment, they may face fewer legal repercussions.
Participants in the beauty pageant do not sign employment contracts. Nevertheless, the plaintiffs in the lawsuit have found support in a judgment from 2013 involving a former contestant who claimed similar mistreatment by the French beauty pageant.
Critics argue that Miss France, which celebrated its centennial this year, is outdated and perpetuates sexist values. Despite this, the beauty pageant remains a highly popular television program in France. Millions of people tune in to TV channel TF1 every December to witness the final national vote and the announcement of the winner.
Alyssa Ahrabare, the head of the “Dare to be Feminist” group, expressed frustration at the lack of progress in combating the sexist values associated with the beauty pageant. She stated, “For all our protests every year against this vehicle for sexist values, nothing changes. We have decided to use the law to advance the cause of women.”
On the other hand, Miss France insists that it has evolved from its sexist past, although contestants are still required to appear on stage in swimsuits and ballgowns.
The Miss France organization declined to comment when contacted by the media. Currently, the organization is led by Sylvie Tellier, the winner of Miss France 2002 (pictured above). Tellier defended the contest, claiming that it promotes women’s rights. She stated, “You can parade in a swimsuit and be a feminist. We are no longer in the days of ‘look beautiful and shut up.’”
The three former contestants involved in the lawsuit have chosen to remain anonymous for the time being.
