France Withdraws from Miss Universe 2026 After 73 Years Amid Growing Controversy
PARIS: France’s national beauty pageant organization, Miss France, has announced that it will not participate in the Miss Universe 2026 competition, citing concerns over the direction and management of the global pageant.
According to the organization, the decision follows a series of administrative issues and controversies that emerged during the 2025 edition of the competition.
In a statement, Miss France said that the current direction, policies, and values of the international contest no longer align with the standards and principles upheld by the French organization.
The organization emphasized that the withdrawal applies only to the 2026 edition and does not rule out a return in future years if circumstances improve.
Frédéric Gilbert, President of Miss France, stated that Miss Universe has long served as an important platform for France’s representation on the global stage. However, he stressed that protecting the organization’s values and identity remains its top priority.
In response, the Miss Universe Organization announced that beginning in 2026, it will directly oversee and manage the competition’s operations in France. The organization said the move is intended to strengthen professional standards and ensure consistency with its global framework.
The development has added a new dimension to ongoing discussions surrounding the governance and future direction of one of the world’s most prominent beauty pageants.
