"First in 103 Years"… Controversy Intensifies Over Miss France Winner with a 'Short Cut' Hairstyle

The First Shortcut Winner Eve Gil
Won by 3rd Place Online Vote and 1st Place Jury Vote
Criticism Arises Over Alleged 'Political Correctness' Enforcement

At a beauty pageant held in France, a contestant with a short hairstyle was selected as 'Miss France' for the first time in history. This has sparked controversy, with some criticizing it as prioritizing 'PC (political correctness)' over traditional femininity.

Eve Gil, selected as Miss France 2024.
[Image source=AFP Yonhap News]

On the 17th (local time), the British daily The Times reported that Eve Jil (20, female) won the Miss France final held the previous day.

The winner showcased a black, short hairstyle with androgynous charm. It is said to be the first time in the 103-year history of the pageant that a woman with short hair has won. Past winners mostly had long, flowing hair and voluptuous body curves.

Jil said at the pageant, "We are used to beautiful women with long hair, but I chose a short hairstyle with a more androgynous, somewhat masculine appearance." She also commented on her victory, "No one should define you. Every woman is different, and we each have our own individuality."

The selection result drew mixed reactions locally.

The winner of this pageant was decided half by online viewer votes and half by the judges' votes. Jil ranked third in the online vote but was chosen first by the judges.

Some criticized the pageant as unfair, claiming it ignored traditional beauty and was conducted with a focus on PC (political correctness). They argued that the judging panel selected the winner with 'woke' progressive identity emphasizing 'diversity' in mind. 'Woke' is used sarcastically to describe those who overreact to political correctness, meaning 'awake.'

A user on X (formerly Twitter) pointed out, "She doesn't look like Miss France," adding, "I don't care about her hairstyle, but the androgynous body definitely acts as 'woke'."

Eve Jil, selected as Miss France 2024.
[Image source=AFP Yonhap News]

On the other hand, there were opinions supporting the judges and winner Jil. Broadcaster Jean-Marc Morandini pointed out, "(Jil) is receiving violent criticism due to her thin body and short hair." The organizers also highly praised this victory as a win for diversity.

Meanwhile, beauty pageants, which have been criticized for enforcing uniform beauty standards, have been attempting changes to meet the demands of the times. Many pageants have excluded swimsuit judging, and since 2012, the Miss Universe organization has allowed transgender contestants. In July, a transgender participant won and was selected as 'Miss Netherlands' in the Netherlands.