Despite the end of the age limit for running for the election, many of the Miss France 2025 candidates are students. This is the case of Charlie Benard, Miss Poitou-Charentes 2024. The 27-year-old young woman is 1.70 m tall and is thriving as a general medicine intern. For someone who ran for the third time in a regional election this year, this last attempt was the right one. Asked by Tele-Leisureofficial partner of the ceremony broadcast on TF1, she opens up about her feelings before the big evening.
“I will finish my studies in any case“: Charlie Benard (Miss Poitou-Charentes 2024) speaks before the election of Miss France 2025
Tele-Leisure : You ran twice for the election of Miss Normandy, then a third time for that of Miss Poitou-Charentes. Have you evolved between these three participations?
Charlie Benard : Yes, there is definitely a big evolution. Whether from the public or mine. With experience, I really feel more comfortable on stage, whether in choreography, parades, or speeches. I think experience played a role, and that's what the public told me.
Isn't it too difficult to represent a region in which you have only lived for a year?
No, I would not at all have seen myself participating again in Normandy because it is in Poitou-Charentes that I live, that I work, that I am on a daily basis.
Your victory after three attempts must have been a real deliverance!
This election was my last chance, there was obviously a little stress. When I was face-to-face with my first runner-up, I didn't know at all if I was going to win but I hoped so, I had done everything for it, and I was really very happy.
As a general medicine intern, how were you able to organize your schedule with Miss France?
I was doing my semester in the emergency room at Angoulême hospital. The schedule is a bit disjointed, we can work on weekends, have on-call, so organization wasn't easy. It was quite sporty as the election approached! But it was important to me to do both so with a little organization, it always works.. I asked for an adjusted semester so that I could come back right after the election.
Could leaving your career in medicine in favor of a career focused on fashion or modeling interest you?
No, I would really like to finish my internship. Afterwards, I think that when you are Miss France, many other things are offered to us to see to reconcile the two as best we can. But I will finish my studies in any case, that's for sure. I still have three years of internship left, this is my seventh year of study.
“I did a lot of swimming and gymnastics“: Charlie Benard (Miss Poitou-Charentes 2024) reveals what her hobbies are
Do you have brothers and sisters? Are you supported by your family?
I am the eldest of a little brother and a little sister. My whole family, and even my friends, are very motivated. They have the same opinion as me about the competition so it wasn't a problem for anyone.
Thanks to whom did you run for office?
At the beginning, it was an idea of mine because I really wanted it, but I quickly found support and encouragement from everyone.
Do you have a secret passion?
I was really extremely sporty before starting my studies so I would say sport. During my studies, I put all that aside but I would really like to be able to resume an activity as soon as I can. I did a lot of swimming and gymnastics. There were a few competitions and a few medals but not at a very high level.
Which stage of the preparation and election do you fear the most?
There is no particular step that I dread because I am not a stressed person on a daily basis. On the contrary, I couldn't wait to meet everyone.
Overall, are you confident about the next steps and the election in December?
I feel confident, I know that everyone has their chances. But if we are here, it is necessarily because we believe in it. I tell myself that I have a one chance in 30 and I will do everything to take advantage of it.
Charlie Benard, Miss Poitou-Charentes 2024, explains why she could not participate in Koh Lanta : “I really like to eat too much“
Did you have the opportunity to speak to other misses before the official portrait shoot?
I met a few of them, notably Miss Aquitaine because we have the same committee, we spent several days together. I also met Miss Limousin and Miss Midi-Pyrénées during a photo shoot. We're pretty comfortable with each other so it was nice.
Do you attach importance to the comments you read on the networks?
Absolutely not. We were warned, we are aware of it. I take all compliments but also constructive criticism. On the other hand, if they are negative comments that serve to criticize for pleasure, I don't pay attention to them.
Do people ever tell you that you look like a star?
Since I was elected, I have been told several times that I look like Angèle. I was quite surprised at first but it's a real compliment!
If you are elected Miss France on December 14, who will be your first thought?
It will be for my loved ones and my committee who will be in the room, near me. I will also think of all the people who voted for me because everything will only be possible thanks to them.
Do you often watch television?
I watch less TV since I started boarding school, I no longer have a television. But from time to time I watch entertainment like Koh Lanta or Love is in the meadow. I would like to try sporting adventures with challenges because it suits my character, but not Koh Lanta because I really like to overeat for this kind of adventure.
