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The Miss France company responds to the shock book on sexual assault in the competition (photo: the old Miss France winners during a scrub to Geneviève de Fontenay in 2023)
Miss France – The reverse of glitter: the nightmare. The Miss France competition is in turmoil as the output of a behind the scenes, sometimes very dark of this institution is approached. Hubert Guérin, last employee dated Geneviève de Fontenay, with whom he worked for eleven years, published on September 8 Miss France, from dream to reality (Verona editions).
There may be a before and an after. Indeed, the author spoke with 60 former winners or candidates, who lift the veil behind the scenes of the competition, between depression, harassment and repeated sexual violence. All, in a total omerta, according to extracts published in the press, of which The point For example. In response, Miss France explains that ” If they were proven, these facts would touch on subjects that concern us all deeply. »»
It must be said that the testimonies, under anonymity, are edifying. A dozen participants, including some ex-Miss France, say they have suffered sex and sexual assaults “As part of the competition, under the direction of the Miss France organization” and sometimes even “By members of Miss France”.
“Provoke a #MeToo des Miss”
“I arrived in Miss France Vivante, I got out of my dead year”said one of them. “Elected Miss France, I am raped a few hours later: in my room, I am pushed against the bed, I am called upon all names and I am tearing the dress”still testifies a miss, when another says: “The day after my coronation, I am forced to make a blowjob. »» Another yet: “Me, Miss France, I was the victim of rape during my year”.
And in all of this, silence. Even with Geneviève de Fontenay, a competition figure, they dared to speak. “We wanted to make it proud, not to pretend to be poor victims. She who was fighting to be respected in society ”explains a miss to Hubert Guérin.
The latter recognizes: “These sufferings are inaudible for the general public. “We sell a dream so much that we cannot say that we suffered during that year”he explains in the newspaper Progress. This is why he wrote this book, to allow them to make their ills public. “The objective is to provoke a #MeToo of the Miss. To say: you are not alone, talk, reveal, say what happened ”.
Miss France’s response
According to the author, part of these sexual assaults would have taken place during preparation trips abroad, sometimes until the evening of the election, mainly between 1990 and 2002. Less than 10 % of Miss France are affected.
For its part, Miss France said in a press release published Friday, September 5, having ” read the allegations “Reported in the book. Recalling that the facts predate the takeover of the company Miss France by Endemol, then by the Banijay group, it specifies that it cannot “ judge the veracity of these allegations ».
« Nevertheless, if they were proven, these facts would touch on subjects that concern us all deeply: security, dignity and respect for each woman. We wish to recall in a clear and firm way that any form of sexual violence, abuse or harassment is unacceptable and condemnable. », Can we still read in the press release.
The company ensures that “ If these facts are proven “, She will express her” solidarity “And his” Total support for victims ». Finally, she invites any person concerned to seize the competent authorities.
