Miss France Scandal: Ex-Contestants Say They Were Sexually Abused During Pageant

A shocking exposé has erupted over the Miss France pageant. In a newly published book titled "Miss France, du rêve à la réalité" ("Miss France, from Dream to Reality"), dozens of former contestants and regional officials have come forward with grave allegations of sexual assault, spanning roughly over a decade. The details are harrowing.

The 489-page investigation from Hubert Guérin, who once served as deputy to long-time pageant president Geneviève de Fontenay, draws on anonymous testimonies from nearly 60 individuals, including about ten former Miss France winners.

Reported incidents range from unwelcome touching during photo shoots to alleged rape, forced oral sex, and verbal humiliation. One testimonial, reproduced in French media, describes being assaulted "a few hours after being elected Miss France: in my room, I was pushed against the bed, called every name under the sun, and my dress was torn off."

Guérin has labeled the pattern of silence "omertà," in reference to the code of silence in the Italian mafia, which he says is enforced by systemic pressure within the pageant industry.

The Miss France Society issued a statement acknowledging awareness of the "reported allegations of sexual violence and violations of the candidates' integrity," particularly referring to events alleged to have occurred between 1990 and 2002. The organization indicated it would support victims if the claims are substantiated, emphasizing that "any form of sexual violence, abuse, or harassment is unacceptable."

Multiple figures within the pageant, including other Miss France winners, have denied that they were victimized or that they had any knowledge of abuse during their tenure with the pageant.

2015 Miss France winner Camille Cerf has publicly denied statements made by Guérin in his book, stating, "I have never spoken with Hubert Guérin; what he says about me is false and entirely fabricated. His statements are very serious, and I do not intend to let him get away with it. During my year and over these 10 years, the Miss France Organization has always protected me."

Sylvie Tellier, who won the pageant in 2002 and served as national director of Miss France, told RTL she was unaware of any such incidents during her tenure but would have encouraged legal proceedings if credible accusations had been presented.

However, the 1994 Miss France winner Valérie Claisse acknowledged that "in my time, the Misses were less well protected than today" and expressed hope the book "will encourage people to speak out and file legal complaints."

Notably, no legal complaints have yet been filed by any of the alleged victims, according to Guérin. He attributes this to a deeply entrenched "omertà" culture and the power structures surrounding the pageant.