the essential
The 21-year-old Calignacaise has been wearing the sash of Mademoiselle Aquitaine since November. Although she had not intended for such an adventure, she is taking full advantage of her new role before competing in the national final in April.
It is not uncommon for children to dream from a very young age of glory, glitter and being in the spotlight. This aspiration can materialize in different ways, including participating in beauty contests. Olivia Brousse, employee at the Calignac nursery school, is however far from having experienced this scenario. “I have had health problems for two years. I no longer did sports, and I wanted to set a goal for myself so as not to stay idle. One day, I came across Instagram posts from the Mademoiselle France competition. I went into it, but not at all with the aim of winning,” she smiles.
Her family is reluctant, believing that the Calignacaise does not really realize the adventure she is about to embark on. She still participates in this competition reserved for girls aged 16 to 24, without believing in a possible victory, unlike her parents. So, when she received the crown from Mademoiselle Aquitaine on November 16, she struggled to find the words and seemed almost lost in the middle of the scene. “My parents told me to prepare a speech. In the videos, you can see that I am surprised. I even started crying,” recalls the 21-year-old young woman.
A change in his daily life
Olivia Brousse is about to discover a new life, after growing up in the small village of barely 500 inhabitants that she has never left. Rarely refusing requests, she notably participates in the Nérac Christmas market as well as in the wishes of Stéphanie David, mayor of Calignac. While drawing only positives from this experience: “Where I am surprised is that the people in my town support me a lot. Some people recognize me and stop me in the street. Afterwards, there is Olivia from Mademoiselle Aquitaine and Olivia outside. Sometimes I like to cut because that’s not all I make a living from, even if I really enjoy what I do.”
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DDM – Manon Vallet
His daily investment is felt more on social networks. A radical change for a previously inactive Internet user. From now on, she must regularly respond to challenges launched on the Mademoiselle France account, in particular the so-called New Year one. Moreover, his publication is among those having generated the most reactions on Facebook and Instagram. A great feat for a person who was not used to it, hoping that this popularity translates into electoral results. To ensure a certain productivity on her social networks, Olivia Brousse can count on the experience of her delegate Lisa Brun, elected Mademoiselle Aquitaine in 2022.
“My family has always been there”
Parental support is also essential. Although perplexed before their daughter’s participation in this competition, they now represent an important source of motivation and encouragement. “My family, with my sister, have always been there for me. Sometimes we get sluggish. I’m very apprehensive about going to Mademoiselle France because I’m going away for a week alone and I’m not used to just walking in heels (smile). It’s all new, but they are with me in this adventure. If they hadn’t been there, I don’t think I would have been able to get here,” she emphasizes.
Olivia Brousse is enthusiastically heading towards this final on April 19, without however considering being crowned again. “At the national level, we have to be realistic. I think there’s someone better than me.” This was already the idea she had formed last November. Destiny had decided otherwise.
See you on April 19
The Mademoiselle France 2025 election will take place on April 19 at the Halle de Mer, in Loir-et-Cher (41). The theme of this edition is “The mystical legend of the Mademoiselle”, during which “each candidate will embody the essence of a myth or a legendary creature”, we can read on the competition’s Instagram page. Lou-Anne Vitry, Mademoiselle France 2024 from Reunion Island, will therefore leave her crown to one of the 22 contenders. Four passages will punctuate the evening: the one in a t-shirt/shorts, another at the microphone, then a third “themed” and finally in an evening dress. Thus, five participants will receive the titles of Mademoiselle France, from 1st to 3rd Demoiselle as well as the Public Prize. Women registered in the competition must be aged 17 to 24, “without weight or height criteria”, indicates the organization. After succeeding Ludivine Georget at the local level, Olivia Brousse will try to do better than her predecessor who did not manage to reach the first four places last year.
