a Miss “L’Oréal” could create a surprise

So that the candidates do not lose sight of their objective, when the final sprint is launched, Eve Gilles told them solemnly presented the Mauboussin crown which awaits the future Miss France. “Here is the gem!” It's your crown, it belongs to you. Only you can touch her, or someone from the Miss France company. It’s like the scarf, it’s part of your attributes,” announces Cindy Fabre, the director of the national competition, at the same time, facing the candidates hypnotized by the jewel and its purple stones. But we must quickly return to earth, or rather to stage.

The Miss dancers are already attracting attention

Because he finds the candidates more and more comfortable from year to year, Frédéric Gilbert (the president of the Miss France company and producer of the show) “pushed the cursor” to imagine a show on the dance theme: disco, tango, samba, country… All styles go there. “They are doing very well! », he estimates between two paintings. But on stage, inevitably, some do better than others.

On the eve of the big night, there are those who are already at full strength, and others who are still holding back. From the start of rehearsals this Friday afternoon, there is one who attracts attention with her XXL smile and her boundless energy among her twenty-nine comrades: Miss Picardie (Marina Przadka), experienced dancer. “Dancing allows me to free myself, to convey emotions, but also to express myself beyond words,” she confided to Paris Match a few weeks ago. Enough to establish its place among the favorites.

The rest after this ad

Another dance enthusiast, who had already caused a sensation during the trip to Ivory Coast, Miss Guyane (Jade Fansonna) sways without problem on the number dedicated to tango, not far from her comrade Miss Normandie (Lucile Lecellier), who plays with her piercing gaze on the song “Roxane”. For her part, Miss Loire" rel="tag">Pays de la Loire (Mélissa Atta Bessiom) lets loose on the samba board, encouraged by Eve Gilles in the front row. But there is one who could well defy all the predictions, including those of the AI: Miss Champagne-Ardenne, Louison Thevenin.

The one who usually shines on the basketball courts is particularly at ease on stage with her hair toss worthy of L'Oréal advertisements. “Everything is going very well for me. Except for the foot pain. But you shouldn't remove your heels, it's worse! “. And because this tall 1.85m blonde is not afraid of heights, she was chosen – with Miss Tahiti, Miss Centre-Val de Loire, Miss Rhône-Alpes and Miss Aquitaine – to launch the country table on the descending platform from the ceiling. The evening having already begun, and the spectators already crowding in front of the doors of the Arena, the “Jolenes” of one evening must put away their sequined hats for the highlight of this day of rehearsal: the recording of the painting in traditional costumes, in public.

“Mont-Saint-Michel” dress and acrobat firefighters

Requiring longer preparation, the folkloric table is always recorded the day before the election. The public, who could no longer attend since the Covid-19 crisis, returned for this 2024 edition. Nearly 2,000 people took their seats in the Arena, when there will be more than 4,000 on Saturday evening. “It’s real training to realize what the power of a room is,” comments Frédéric Gilbert. » It gives the candidates a glimpse, with people watching, shouting, applause… It's good training for tomorrow, where they will be confronted with this fervor, times twice. »

If the public is shouting so much, it is because it is mainly made up of regional committees and relatives of the candidates. A comfort or an additional source of stress for the candidates? Difficult to say… Beyond loudly supporting their favorite, everyone is amazed by the parade in folk costumes: without fear of rekindling the eternal debate with Brittany, Miss Normandie unveils her surprising “Mont-Saint-Michel” dress “, when his Breton friend parades in a yellow fisherman's raincoat. For her part, Miss Lorraine reveals her superhero outfit designed by Giraumontois film costume designer Wesley Forstinger and his Organic Creative Studio.

Miss Roussillon pays tribute to Salvador Dali's love for the city of Perpignan, Miss Provence is dressed in a lavender dress while Miss Languedoc puts the spotlight on… mussels from her region. Miss Guyana perhaps creates a surprise with her incredible hibiscus dress, but the one who shakes the applause is naturally Miss Poitou-Charentes, who is playing at home in her costume that nods to Futuroscope. To complete the picture, the gymnasts from the Paris fire brigade – who had already distinguished themselves during the Paris Olympic Games last summer – were invited for some acrobatics all in biceps and blue, white and red tights.

A very “competitive” promotion

Behind the muscles and the glitter, we feel that this class of 2024 has a tight smile. The competition took over from the fun. For the spirit of camaraderie so dear to the Miss France society, we will come back…

“Last year, there was a lot of mutual support and cohesion in the class and that’s less the case this year. They are a little more individual and they win,” said Frédéric Gilbert. “What plays a role is the pressure from social networks and certain large regions which push their candidates. Those who perhaps have less visibility, it stings a little. It creates competition and a little jealousy. But we tell them that everything is decided the same evening, with the public voting and the jury in the room. » No offense to Miss Champagne-Ardenne and her friends who are still kept away from the predictions, which could well create a surprise.