Last August, Marine Futol was elected Miss Réunion 2024. Determined to win the title of Miss France 2025 during the election which will take place on Saturday December 14, the young woman was the victim of a mishap during the trip of preparation for the 30 regional Misses in Ivory Coast. While taking part in a photoshoot, the law student injured herself by stepping on a fish bone and found herself forced to use crutches and a wheelchair. But this incident did nothing to dampen his motivation. During the shooting of the official portraits of the candidates, Marine Futol spoke to Tele-Leisureofficial partner of the beauty contest, on her career, her future projects and spoke of her resemblance to a former Miss France.
“I hid it from my parents” : Marine Futol looks back on her participation in Miss Réunion 2024 for Miss France 2025
Tele-Leisure : Why did you want to try the Miss France adventure?
Marine Futol : I saw it more as a life experience, not necessarily as a little girl's dream. It's true that there are many girls who have this dream, but I saw it more as something beautiful for me to live out given my abilities and my potential. I have been asked a lot, I have been told a lot: “Marine, you have to try your luck”. So I tried it and here I am.
Thanks to whom did you run for office?
A little bit of everyone. It comes from my family, my friends, but also people I don't know at all. Sometimes, when I went to stores, they told me: “But wow, miss you are very, very pretty“. And it gave me a kick boost Also.
You put your law studies on hold to take part in the competition. Was it a difficult choice to make?
Before launching into the Miss Réunion election, I was still a minor. I was in the process of taking my general baccalaureate and was about to begin my higher studies. I put them on pause because it was going to be too complicated to reconcile studies and Miss's life, because Miss's life is full-time. It wasn't a complicated choice because I think it was the best choice to make. I'm still young, I still have life ahead of me so I can always start again later.
What do your parents think of this decision?
At first it was a bit complicated. When I launched into the Miss Reunion election, I didn't tell anyone. My family didn't take it too well because I hid it from them but also because for them Miss is not a profession, you have to study first.. But after being elected and even throughout the preparations, they were there for me, they supported me and today I know that they are very proud of me. I am very grateful for their change of perspective.
You want to become a customs officer. Where does this vocation come from?
Firstly, I think it's because I've always been passionate about airports. At the beginning, I wanted to get into the career paths that lead to the profession of flight attendant, but there was a little snag because one day I had the opportunity to visit a plane and I saw where the flight attendants slept, and being a claustrophobic person by nature I told myself I would avoid that. And then, you should know that since I was little, I have often watched reports on customs with my dad, so I think that my desire to become a customs officer comes from there too.
“It scares me a little” : Marine Futol (Miss Reunion 2024) confides her fears regarding a stage of the competition
Do you have brothers and sisters?
I have a little big brother, I say it all the time because it makes me laugh a lot. He turned 17 in October so he is shorter than me in age but he is much taller, he is 1.90m tall, he is 10cm taller than me so that is why I say that I have a little big brother. He's in high school.
Do you have a secret passion?
I've been singing since I was little. I often sang with my cousin, we recorded songs in the studio. I took singing lessons, I did mini-scenes. Today, I don't have much time anymore but it's something that calms me down.
What style(s) of music do you sing?
I sing everything, whether it's songs of Reunion origin or English songs because it allows me to learn a little more English.
Which stage of the preparation and election do you fear the most?
The general knowledge test. It's something very important and it's true that it scares me a little bit because if you miss it it's not sure that you have a chance of getting the crown.
So you revised?
I revise whenever I can. I have an app on my phone and I often watch TV. Before, I didn't look at it at all but I'm starting to be a little more interested in it for myself but also for the general knowledge test just to ensure I still get a small average.
What shows do you watch?
In general, I watch news reports and reports focused on borders, I like that.
Marine Futol (Miss Réunion 2024) discusses her resemblance to Indira Ampiot, Miss France 2023: “I take it well”
Overall, are you confident about the next steps and the election in December?
At first, I was a little scared, but as prime evening approaches, I feel more confident. I know that we will be very well surrounded, very well supervised, very well prepared, so I will have all the keys in hand. I can only be confident.
Do you attach importance to the comments you read on the networks?
A little, because often it can be based on constructive comments so I don't necessarily take it badly. Afterwards, it's true that there are good comments and bad comments. I try to see what people expect of me in order to give the best of myself and do my best.
Do people often tell you that you look like a star?
They tell me I look a lot like Indira Ampiot. I don't think so at all, but I take it well because she's going to be Miss Universe. They also tell me that I look like a mix between Flora Coquerel and Indira Ampiot.
Did you have the opportunity to speak to other misses before today's shoot?
Before coming to mainland France for Miss France, I had already come in October for the Tourism Fair, where I had the opportunity to meet Miss Martinique and Miss Mayotte. We didn't talk much but it allowed me to see them in real life. I also came for a Fashion Week show in Paris where I was able to meet Miss Burgundy, but she was not yet elected.
If you are elected Miss France on December 14, who will you have your first thought for?
She will be for me. I would say to myself that my age has given me strength because I am very young. Some people think this is a disadvantage but I see it as a strength. I could say to myself: “Marine, you are only 18 years old and you were elected Miss France“. Not everyone can achieve this goal at this age.
