Ready to return her Miss France crown, Ève Gilles is committed “to the fight against harassment”

Don’t ask her how many miles she’s covered this year. “I haven’t calculated and honestly, I don’t even know if I would be able to”smiles Eve Gilles. It must be said that the 21-year-old Northerner has traveled, traveled a lot since she was elected Miss France 2024 one December evening in Dijon. She also learned to use her shield in the face of attacks that targeted her with the crown placed on her head.

Even President Emmanuel Macron had shown his support, calling it “fairies” those who had chosen to pour out their hatred online against her haircut or her slim figure. The one who refused to be known only as a “Miss with short hair” chose to prolong his reign by taking action against harassment. “Honestly, yes. It’s because of what I’ve been through.”she explains to us, evoking her future collaboration with the e-Enfance association, at the origin of number 3018. She visited us at the start of the school year for our traditional end-of-year review.

You started your year by learning that you were going to participate in the Olympic torch relay. It’s almost your turn to pass the torch to Miss France 2025, what state of mind are you in?

Eve Gilles: I’m eager to. Not because I can’t wait to hand over the title and completely stop what I’m doing as Miss France, but rather because I’ve had an exceptional year. With the Olympics, it was truly extraordinary. I can’t wait for a new girl to be able to live her dream too, put her plans forward and really see her life change.

Amandine Petit, Miss France 2021, told us that she had taken 10 years of life experience in one year of Miss France . Do you have the same feeling?

Completely. We grow, we learn a lot about others and about ourselves. We discover environments, like that of television. I was able to walk for Pierre Cardin, that was exceptional too! I did book signings like a star. These are things I would never have done before.

You told us to participate in Miss France to “break the codes” and you certainly didn’t do things like those who came before you. If you had to make a one-minute vlog summarizing your year, what would you say?

One minute really wouldn’t be enough! I think I wouldn’t even take a second out of every moment of my year to be able to store as many memories as possible. I have so many, it’s hard to choose. I would use key words like sharing, exchanging, listening, smiles, children’s eyes sparkling… All these striking things rather than trying to give a long speech in which I would get lost.

This year has helped me enormously to dare in all areas. If I have something to say, I say it. If I want to do something, I’ll take matters into my own hands

Eve Gilles

You have experienced a year like no other because it was an Olympic and Paralympic year. Were you able to attend the horse riding events that you told us about ?

Yes, I saw an equestrian final. I was really happy because it was my dream. My second dream was to see wheelchair basketball. I was able to achieve this by attending a women’s semi-final. I had everything I hoped for, I was even able to hit the three shots at the opening of the team final from foil to armchair fencing. One of the participants had both arms and legs amputated. It’s really an example for young people, it shows that you can overcome anything through sport.

Your Reunion mantra, “can’t die without trying”says that it is important to dare in life. Have you surprised yourself by stepping out of your comfort zone?

I’ve already left the countryside (laughs) ! When I know someone well, I talk a lot. Otherwise I stay a little more behind. Now, I no longer have these barriers. For example, at signing sessions, some people are sometimes shy and it’s up to us to approach them. This year has helped me enormously to dare in all areas. If I have something to say, I say it. If I want to do something, I’ll take matters into my own hands and slide my CV into the pile instead of waiting for it to fall into my lap.

What would you like right away?

There are lots of CVs everywhere! I would love to participate in “Dancing with the Stars”, return to “Fort Boyard”. I would love to represent France at Miss Universe.

If you only had one piece of advice to give to the contenders for the crown of Miss France 2025 that would be…

To enjoy because it goes by very quickly! They will have a lot to do during the preparation trip (in Ivory Coast, Editor’s note) . They will have to get up very early, sometimes go to bed very late. It won’t be a regular rhythm. They will sometimes have to have their makeup done at 5 a.m., 6 a.m. or 7 a.m. It’s too early for everyone but they will do it. It’s a group that has to stay together otherwise it’s less fun. I hope they will have the same atmosphere as my promotion.

Miss France 2024: Ève Gilles queen in her village!Source : News 1 p.m. Week

How do you imagine your daily life from December 15?

I’m going to sleep, a lot! I will take the time and enjoy my loved ones. I think I’ll be cooler until Christmas. Actually, I don’t know at all but I think (she bursts out laughing).

Your parents were heavily solicited by the media. How did they experience your sudden fame?

In truth, it’s quite complicated for parents to see their child leave. We have always been very close. I lived in Lille during my studies but I went back to see them every weekend. I gave dance classes in my town, I went horse riding nearby. I feel good there, I love going back there. One of my sisters is in Belgium, the other is based in Reunion and I am part of the life of Miss France. So overnight, they found themselves without any of their daughters around them. It was difficult at first. They were scared but they see now that I’m happy and I’m having a great year.

And your grandparents in Reunion?

In my family, we don’t verbalize a lot. We are in contact a lot but not physical contact, since we are not tactile either (laughs). It comes down to looks or sometimes it’s a little tap on the shoulder. They won’t necessarily tell me “we are proud of you”even if there, they told me. It was even stronger because we didn’t say things to each other. I had just been elected Miss France, my grandfather was already starting to talk to me about Miss Universe (laughs) ! They are not losing the North.

You promised to complete your mathematics studies. Is it still relevant?

If the university is willing, I would like to be able to take at least a few subjects again so that I can get back into the swing of things a little bit. I couldn’t say now if I really want to work in statistics. My goal is to complete my degree. Then we’ll see! I hope I can change some minds about mathematics.

As early as July, people were already starting to say to me: “It’s six months, what happens after Miss France?” It made me panic

Eve Gilles

Is it complicated to plan?

I start to think about what’s next. As early as July, people were already starting to tell me: “It’s six months, what happens after Miss France?” It freaked me out. I said to myself: “Okay, what’s going to happen to me? I don’t know, I’m going to be lost. They’re going to leave me, I’m not going to do anything.” And in fact, not at all. I put pressure on myself for nothing. I have lots of projects. I finally found my association in the fight against harassment, 3018. I am really happy to be able to collaborate with them in the coming years.

Was this commitment born from the harassment you suffered at the start of your reign?

Honestly, yes. It’s due to what I experienced. I managed to experience it “well” because I was supported, I was listened to and I knew who to talk to about it. When you’re young, you don’t necessarily know what to do. I thought there was a listening number but I never imagined there was an app. It was created so that those who do not dare to call can send a message via chat. I tell myself that many people may not know this yet. They need to know that they are victims, that victims have done nothing wrong, that they can be heard and that they will get through this. It’s easier to confide when you know that someone has experienced the same thing.

Is this a message that you also share with Miss France candidates?

Yes. I answer them very honestly when they ask me about everything that happened to me. I tell them each time that leaving will not necessarily be easy. Whether you are blonde or brunette, short hair, long hair, whether you have white skin or not, whether you are mixed race, whether you come from overseas or France, whether you have ethnic origins -you know where, whether you practice a certain profession or whether you have a certain tattoo or piercing, you will always be criticized because something will always be found. You are too much of something or not enough of something. If they are there, it is because they deserve it. I will be able to accompany the one who will be elected Miss France 2025. She will not be alone.

You told us after your election: “The people who criticize me today will perhaps support me tomorrow because they will come to meet me”. Have the grumpy people calmed down online in recent months?

It calmed down slightly. Afterwards, there are always those who don’t listen to what we have to say and who prefer to speak without really knowing us. They will never come to see us because, precisely, they don’t want to. I accept it. I have always accepted that people don’t like me because tastes and colors cannot be discussed. But despite everything, I moved on. I stopped hoping for some kind of forgiveness. Now it’s me who forgives myself for waiting all this time for nothing.

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>> Election of Miss France 2025 – to follow on TF1, TF1+ and TF1info on December 14 from 9:10 p.m.