“They must succeed in convincing us that they can be a good Miss Alès”

The jury was notably composed of Lysa Blanc Nalle, Miss Alès 2023. FREE MIDI – CHARLES LEDUC

Twenty young women participated, this Sunday, January 7, at the town hall of Alès, in the preselection for the evening of February 10. A casting which took place behind closed doors. The name of the personality who will host the election of Miss Alès 2024 is known…

After registration closes on the evening of January 3, here is already the first test. This Sunday, January 7, in the afternoon, the contenders for the title of Miss Alès 2024 will meet at the town hall for a preselection, obligatory before the big gala evening expected on Saturday, February 10, at Méjannes-lès-Alès exhibition center (*), where the young woman who will succeed Lysa Blanc Nalle will be crowned. The City had received 21 registration files; in the end, at 2 p.m., twenty of them responded.

"No stress! It's going to go well", smiles Raphaële Navarro

Having just arrived at town hall, everyone is directed to the committee room, where everyone can prepare. The casting takes place on the other side of reception, in the Salle des Estates du Languedoc. Relatives wait in the hall, where you can hear a pin drop. Raphaële Navarro, the deputy mayor in charge of the festivities and herself a Miss France 2001 finalist, walks past them smiling: "No stress! It will be alright. Unfortunately, there will be more disappointed than satisfied…" For good reason, only ten of the young girls who made the trip will leave, in the afternoon, with their sesame to access at the Capra podium, February 10.

When will the identity of the candidates be revealed ?

Everything happens behind closed doors. It is out of the question that a photo of the applicants filters, to avoid that one is favored more than another before the big day. "The photos and identities of the candidates will be sent to the press the day before the election, specifies the municipal elected official. Moreover, even families are kept away from pre-selection.

Miss Alès: "I told them to enjoy, not to worry"

In single file, the young ladies reach the Salle des Estates, dressed in an evening dress that belongs to them. First, they pass through the measuring rod; aged between 18 and 26, they must be at least 1.70 m tall. Then, they are asked to appear in front of a jury made up of Thierry Mazars, regional delegate of the Miss France Languedoc-Roussillon committee, Marie-Charlotte Méré, also a member of the committee, Raphaële Navarro, Raphaël Vasquez, responsible for the City's festive activities, and Lysa Blanc Nalle, Miss Alès 2023. In addition to a parade with a swimsuit provided by the Miss France committee, the twenty Cévenoles "have an interview". To introduce themselves, to see the way they express themselves. "They must succeed in convincing us that they can be a good Miss Alès", says Marie-Charlotte Méré. "And we are trying to identify who can make a beautiful Miss Languedoc, or even a beautiful Miss France." This member of the committee continues: "It’is not an easy exercise. It will be useful to them outside the world of Misses. It’s a first real-life experience for an 18-year-old girl; many will do violence to themselves, going against their nature. After having paraded in a swimsuit in front of five jurors, showing up in a suit for a job interview will seem easy to them…" Lysa Blanc Nalle and her second runner-up, Louane de Backer, are, as for to them, immersed in the past: "We see behind the scenes. Last year, we were in their place…" MissAlès 2023 is also there in support. "I tell them not to stress," she confides. "It’s impressive, but it’s a day that goes by quickly. I told them to enjoy, not to worry…"

The gala will be hosted by Diane Leyre, Miss France 2022

For his part, Thierry Mazars does not lose sight of the evening of February 10. In addition to the arrival of Ève Gilles, Miss France 2024, he announced that the gala "will be presented by Diane Leyre", who was crowned Miss France 2022.

(*): the sale of tickets to attend the gala evening will open on January 15, at Mairie Prim’, located rue Michelet, from Monday to Friday, from 9 a.m. to noon and from 1:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. Price: 40€. I subscribe to read more