“I was bullied when I was younger because of my size and my mouth”

Elected on August 10 in Beaucaire (Gard), Jade Benazech is 19 years old and wears the sash of Miss Languedoc 2024. She is preparing today for the election of Miss France 2025 which will be held on December 14 at Futuroscope, in Poitiers .

Give a few words about it?

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I was born and raised in Montpellier and I now commute between Narbonne where I live, and Toulouse where I study.

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What were you doing before participating in the competition?

I was a nursing school student who spent her time on the handball fields or with her friends.

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When and why did you decide to submit your candidacy for the regional election?

I was spotted in the street when I was not yet an adult, then re-launched but I didn't feel ready. And this summer, it clicked and I decided to give it a go! I first participated in Miss Aude where I won the title, which allowed me to qualify for the regional final at the end of which I was elected Miss Languedoc. It took me a while to decide but then everything happened very quickly.

Did you have any doubts before starting out?

I actually hesitated, because I feared the gaze and judgment of others. I was bullied when I was younger because of my big size and my mouth so I didn't want to go through that again. But ultimately, I told myself that I wanted to have this experience for myself without worrying about bad people. I suffered enough of them when I was younger to let them still have an impact on my life today.

Does everyone around you support you?

Everyone around me supports me enormously, I know that he will always be the shoulder I can lean on. As part of the misses but especially in all stages of my life!

What do you say to those who consider the competition outdated or even misogynistic?

They don't know what they're talking about! I have realized since I was elected and thanks to the numerous events in which I have already participated that people have a biased vision of this competition. Many think that Miss France is all about rhinestones, sequinned dresses, and overly lacquered blow-drys. But in reality, it is above all an extraordinary opportunity which is offered to us to gain confidence in ourselves, to accept ourselves as we are, to meet people from all walks of life, to experience incredible moments and above all to be listened to. What could be more feminist than letting a woman have control of her body as she wishes and giving her the opportunity to freely express herself on subjects that are important to her?

I want to shine a light on our elders

Jade Benazech, Miss Languedoc 2024

What do you think of the evolution of the Miss France competition?

As far as I am concerned, I am one of those who met the criteria before evolution, but I find it very good that the competition is modernizing and opening up to a wider range of women! The competition and the image of Misses in general are much more modern. We are young women of our time with our qualities and our faults. The proof is that some time ago the interviews with candidates came down to: age, height, weight, studies… Today I am answering a questionnaire of around twenty questions to find out who I am and what my aspirations are.

What particular cause do you want to defend?

I want to shine a light on our elders! They have a lot to teach us and pass on to us and it is very important to support them, break their loneliness, and ensure that they keep smiling.

How do you handle the sudden notoriety that could fall on you on December 14?

I think we're never really prepared for it, but I'm not someone who worries in advance, especially since I know we are very well supervised. I do a lot of sport and the mind is very important.

Does seeing Eve Gilles face harassment on social media worry you?

Obviously a little, but having already faced harassment when I was younger, I learned to take a step back.

A childhood memory strongly linked to Miss France?

I remember that as a child, as a family, we made predictions but we were never right.

Which Miss France made an impression on you and why?

Laury Thilleman: she is sporty, dynamic and exudes the joy of living.

A mentor or someone who has influenced you throughout your life?

Obviously, my parents thanks to the values ​​they passed on to me.

The trait of your character that you like to highlight?

My joy of living.

A hidden talent?

So well hidden that I haven't found it yet.

A book?

“The Dirty Kids” by Charlye Ménétrier McGrath.

A song?

“I will go where you go” by Celine Dion.

A film or a series?

“The green line”.

Your favorite hobby?

Play Handball.

A guilty pleasure?

Saint-Tropez cakes.

A fetish object?

My great-grandmother's ring.

Are you willing to take heart?

OUI.

Your regional pride?

My region is a Land of Champions! In Languedoc, we have teams in the highest divisions in just about every sport. And we saw it this summer at the Olympic Games: many French athletes (medal winners or not) are from Languedoc.