Miss France Overhaul Sparks 'Political Correctness' Row — Language Ban and Safety Reforms After Abuse Allegations

Miss France Overhaul Sparks 'Political Correctness' Row

The Miss France pageant has provoked controversy after organisers removed several long-standing flirtatious expressions and introduced wide-ranging safety and privacy reforms. The linguistic and operational changes form part of a broader attempt to modernise the contest as it grapples with scandal, criticism and internal tensions.

Language and Presentation Changes

For the edition staged in Amiens, producers circulated a blacklist that removed familiar lines such as "la température va monter" ("the temperature is about to rise"), historically used to introduce the swimsuit parade. Other stock phrases — including describing contestants as "pleine de charme" ("full of charm") and references to "le charme à la française" — were also cut.

Frédéric Gilbert, president of the Miss France Society, explained the reasoning:

"We no longer play with innuendo... We leave humour to the comedians. Modern contestants should be described in terms of elegance and confidence, not forced sensuality."

He added that many recent title-holders are adults with higher education and the show must reflect that reality.

Safety, Privacy And Practical Reforms

The overhaul extends beyond language. Contestants will now select their own swimsuits instead of wearing a standardised design; backstage access has been sharply restricted; and individual photos have been banned to reduce the risk of images being misused online. Reigning Misses will be permanently chaperoned following complaints about unwanted touching.

Backlash And Support

The reforms have drawn sharp criticism from some media figures. Star presenter Cyril Hanouna launched a furious on-air attack, saying the new rules had "killed" the show:

"For me, the contest should be scrapped. We’ve reached the end of it. It’s over. They’ve shot Miss France dead... We don’t even feel like watching anymore."

RTL radio reported listeners who described the changes as a "drift into political correctness."

By contrast, veteran host Jean-Pierre Foucault defended the updates, noting the show today is very different to its early 20th-century origins and saying the broadcast "will again be different from last year’s."

Allegations Of Historical Abuse

The reforms gained momentum after the publication of Miss France: From Dream to Reality by former official Hubert Guérin. The book alleges that around ten former title-holders were sexually assaulted during or shortly after their reigns in the 1990s and early 2000s, and describes a range of abuses alleged by former contestants.

The Miss France organisation said it had "noted the reported allegations" but could not judge their veracity, adding: "If they are proved, we express our total support and solidarity with the victims." Responses from former winners were mixed: some contested specific claims in the book, while others welcomed the exposure and urged legal action.

Recent Reigns And Public Pressure

Angélique Angarni-Filopon, Miss France 2025, said her year was difficult and she was often shielded from the press after controversies. The committee limited her exposure after she faced racist and violent abuse online; she received insults about her body and threats that contributed to her decision to step down. Earlier title-holders have also described unwanted touching and hostile treatment at events.

Other Developments

Artificial intelligence has been used to model future outcomes: consultancy Avisia named Lola Lacheré, Miss Nord-Pas-de-Calais, as its early favourite for 2026. The system correctly predicted the public’s top three in a previous year but failed to foresee Miss Angarni-Filopon’s victory.

Competition format changes include a reduction in semi-finalists: a pre-selection jury now chooses 12 semi-finalists (down from 15). The live broadcast reveals that dozen before a combined public-and-jury vote narrows the field to five finalists and, ultimately, the winner.

What This Means

The Miss France overhaul represents a significant cultural shift for a high-profile national event: organisers aim to prioritise contestant safety, privacy and dignity, while critics argue the show risks losing part of its traditional appeal. The coming broadcasts will show whether the reforms satisfy both viewers and participants.