Crisis Averted: Miss France Gets to Keep Title

We can finally breathe a sigh of relief, as news has come down that the lovely and talented Miss France, Valerie Begue, will get to keep her title, although, sadly, she will not get to represent France in the Miss World pageant.

We'll somehow have to come to grips with that.

Valerie Begue can keep her Miss France crown despite a row over suggestive pictures that appeared in a French magazine, the contest organisers say.

But Ms Begue, who was crowned on 8 December, will not be allowed to take part in international beauty contests.

One picture showed her licking yoghurt provocatively, while another had her posing on a wooden cross, like Christ.

Her home island of Reunion, in the Indian Ocean, had campaigned to prevent her being stripped of her crown.

Before the competition, contestants guarantee that they have never been photographed in compromising positions.

The controversial pictures were published on 21 December, prompting the president of the Miss France contest, Genevieve de Fontenay, to call for Ms Begue, 22, to stand down.

But on Friday Ms de Fontenay said Ms Begue could keep her crown "provided she does not participate in any international elections [contests] ".

"The photos are shocking and continue to shock. These are not innocent photos. In no way do they correspond to the image of Miss France," she added.

Ms Begue expressed relief, saying, "I'm happy to keep my title and thank all those who supported me".

I'd appreciate being thanked personally, but a note of thanks will suffice.

The lovely Ms. Begue looks very happy to get the news.


Her nemesis de Fontenay does not.


Previously