While 2014 was a bleak year for France in pageantry, whereby only Camille Cerf was able to make a cut in the Miss Universe semi-finals, failing to place in other major pageants, 2015 brought contentment to France. In 2015, the nation which is an epitome of fashion fiesta, placed in all major international pageants except the Miss International pageant. These French beauties are worth of appreciation, applause and admiration.
The wonderful pageant season brought France’s first fruit of ecstasy at Miss Earth 2015. Alsace’s last year representative, Alyssa Wurtz, who finished as the fourth runner up to Camille Cerf in Miss France 2015, was handpicked by the Miss France Organization to represent France at Miss Earth 2015. Alyssa placed as a Top 4 finalist in the Best Eco Video and placed as a Top 16 finalist in the finale held on December 5’ 2015 in Vienna, Austria. Alyssa was effervescently graceful in both evening gown and swimsuit rounds, as she strutted her curvaceous body on the runway with poise and elegance.
On December 19’ 2015, France yet again rejoiced with joy when Hinarere Taputu was called upon as a Top 11 finalist at Miss World 2015, held in Sanya, China. An eminently acknowledged French model, Hinarere also placed in the Top 24 of the Miss World Sport special event challenge as a member of the Blue Team. Hinarere graciously managed to impress the organization as she showcased her paramount facets in Talent Round, Top Model Round and Beauty with a Purpose segment. Her elegantly choreographed dance in the Dances of the World segment of the coronation night stole million hearts.
France reached its peak of triumph on December 20’ 2015, when Flora Coquerel took France to Top 5 finalist spot. This was the only second time when France was in the Top 5 spotlight in the history of Miss Universe pageant. The beautiful and graceful, Flora who went unplaced at Miss World 2014 despite of topping the interview segment took her revenge by flamboyantly combating against other crown contenders as she flawlessly graced the runway in the swimsuit as well as evening gown segment.
After being summoned to the Top 5 spot, Flora was asked: “Having experienced terrorism first hand yourself, what is the best way for government to combat this rising threat?” To which Flora beamingly reflected: “In my opinion, to fight terrorism, first we have to know where the problems are coming from. We have to listen to the people who are committing these attacks. So, we have to find the problem at its heart and for us French, we have to learn to be happy, to live and to be among ourselves. Thank you.” Flora’s confident and candid answer won million applauds at the Planet Hollywood Theatre as they hailed the beauty queen with nodding heads of approval.
France has won only one Miss World, one Miss International and one Miss Universe, if the organization pays regard to the current pageant scenario, polishing their respective delegates accordingly, the days are not far when France can potentially shine as an emerging powerhouse.