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

When Did the French Become a Bunch of Prudes?

Geez, I was always led to believe the French were so enlightened about their sexuality and lascivious lifestyles.

What the hell happened? They're going to strip this lovely young lady (stop it, guys, I know what you're thinking) of her title for a couple of suggestive photos?

Valerie Begue has been told she should immediately take off her Miss France crown because of suggestive pictures published by a French magazine.

Ms Begue - who became Miss France less than a fortnight ago - refused to resign, saying she had been betrayed.

She had returned on Thursday to an enthusiastic welcome on the Indian Ocean island of Reunion.

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

One of the pictures shows her licking yoghurt provocatively, while another has her floating on a wooden cross in a swimming pool.

The President of the Miss France contest, Genevieve de Fontenay, went on French radio to insist that Valerie Begue would have to stand down.

If she did not, Ms de Fontenay said she would be stripped of her crown.

"She is in Reunion. Well, let her stay there," she said.

She went on to say that if she had been aware of the pictures, Ms Begue "would never have been let into the Miss France competition".

C'mon, we had a Miss USA coking it up and whoring around and they let her keep the title.

For what it's worth, here's Genevieve de Fontenay. Maybe Ms. Begue wouldn't want to be seen with her.



UPDATE: OK, I found the following image via this link. Doesn't look like there's any yogurt involved, but perhaps this is a photo they say is suggestive. Well, I guess it's mildly provocative but nothing outrageous. If anyone locates anything more salacious, feel free to let me know.



UPDATE II: OK, LGFer jaunte got me pointed in the right direction. Lizards are so helpful. Here's the yogurt shot.


And the one on the cross.


What the hell, while we're here, we may as well toss in this one from the pageant of her looking insanely hot.


I think I dig her.

UPDATE III: Instapundit links. Thanks!