Thierry Mazars, delegate of the Miss Languedoc regional committee, looks back on the Miss France 2025 election which saw the coronation of Miss Martinique, 35 years old, oldest of a competition in which one of the youngest was its representative, Jade Benazech. The opportunity to discuss, with him, the developments of the election.
Are you disappointed for Jade Benazech, Miss Languedoc 2024, who was among the first 15 eliminated?
Obviously a little. Jade has worked a lot to best represent the region, we would have liked her to at least pass the first stage. It is rare, since 2010, that the Languedoc committee is not qualified among the fifteen semi-finalists (this has only happened four times, Editor’s note). But it remains a competition and Jade herself is very happy to have been able to experience this adventure. She has no regrets and is already looking forward to the local elections.
For the first time, Miss France is 35 years old. Miss Languedoc is “only” 18 years old. Are these, perhaps, the selection criteria that have evolved?
It’s true, today, 18 is almost too young for Miss France (laughs). Jade would certainly have had a better chance of winning with Geneviève de Fontenay (who sold the rights to the competition in 2010, Editor’s note). This election evolves with society. From now on, the jury, the public, expects women who already have experience, experience and maturity. It is no longer enough to be as beautiful as a heart, as they said then. This is how we will begin to review our selection criteria within the Languedoc committee.
How do you view this development?
I have been a regional delegate for 28 years, I have known everything. Today, it seems that the competition is reaching a turning point. A turn that must be taken, or in any case accepted. I just have the impression that the Miss France committee sometimes anticipates these developments a little too much and that’s a shame. But we will adapt.
The Miss elections are looked at differently, the finances of the municipalities are running dry… Is it more difficult to organize local elections?
We have organized, with the communities or our partners, 25 local elections, qualifying for the semi-finals of Miss Languedoc, in 2024. We will certainly drop to 20 next year. We sometimes represent the primary source of savings. And yet, these are free shows for the public, which bring huge numbers of people to town and village squares or to shopping centers. We have loyal partners, for example the town halls of Beaucaire, Alès, Gallargues-le-Montueux, Mauguio-Carnon, Palavas-les-Flots or even Saint-André-de-Valborgne in the Cévennes – and I am far from being exhaustive –, as well as the Polygone, in Béziers and Montpellier, the Coupole in Nîmes… These are lovely moments each time. Proof, moreover, that the public loves this tradition, a new audience record was broken for the Miss France election.
Is the survival of the Miss Languedoc committee threatened?
We must be vigilant. The situation is delicate.
The Netherlands have decided to end their competition, Germany is hesitating… Are you worried about the future?
This is obviously a delicate subject. We can only demand equality between women and men, particularly on issues of salary and professional development. We can only support the liberation of women’s voices. However, should we take a negative view of our competitions? Any excess must be received with caution. I assure you that no candidate for a local election comes against her will. They chose it, they are welcomed with all possible kindness and these elections are for them, at the very least, the opportunity for a beautiful evening, and very often the possibility of opening new doors. Many Miss Languedoc were able, after their election, to find their professional path. And most of them, for several years, stay with us, to participate in evenings and advise new candidates. I assure you that Jade came back very happy from Futuroscope and even if she was not elected Miss France, this adventure will mark her for life. I therefore sincerely hope that the competition will continue for a long time, while following the necessary developments.
