Every winter, the Miss France election brings together millions of viewers in front of TF1, between gala dresses and sparkling crowns. Behind this smooth image, the competition has nevertheless accumulated controversies, settling of scores and dismissals. And the dream regularly turns into a soap opera.
From the dismissal of former beauty queens to hate campaigns targeting Misses of diversity, five episodes really shook up the competition. They tell the story of the evolution of morals and regulations. The current scandal surrounding Julie Zitouni is the latest chapter.
2025: the Miss Provence scandal which ignites Miss France
It all started with a video shot behind the scenes and broadcast on Snapchat, where Miss Provence and Miss Aquitaine comment on the top 12 of Miss France 2026. Having gone viral, the sequence earned Julie Zitouni the title of . In an interview with the daily newspaper, she justified herself:
Since the broadcast of the sequence, Julie Zitouni has denounced a campaign of and. In a press release, his lawyer Me Xavier Pizarro mentions one and writes: He adds: , his client Saying she is at the center of , the former Miss Provence announces complaints, including one for defamation against the influencer Aqababe, who had said:
Miss France: four historic scandals that marked the competition
Long before the era of networks, the competition had already faltered. In 1961, Huguette Oggieri was dismissed for hiding her child. In 1983, Isabelle Turpault lost her crown after photos deemed daring.
In 2008, Valérie Bègue’s photos angered Geneviève de Fontenay. The episode has been debated at length. More recently, Sonia Rolland, Flora Coquerel, April Benayoum and Sabah Aïb have suffered racist or anti-Semitic insults.
Miss France scandals: the growing weight of social networks
These cases shake up the very controlled image of the competition. They force the committee to review its regulations. Each controversy leaves a lasting mark on the public.
The Julie Zitouni affair shows the new place of social networks. The slightest private sequence can become public in a few hours. Between influencers and procedures, the competition is now played out well beyond live television.
What scandals have marked Miss France?
Five cases dominate: Oggieri, Turpault, Bègue, the racist controversies and the Julie Zitouni video.
Why was Julie Zitouni dismissed?
Following a video where she made comments considered insulting towards other Miss.
What is the impact of social networks on these controversies?
They quickly disseminate images, amplify reactions and sometimes encourage strong cyberharassment.
