34-year-old flight attendant Philopon won the new "Miss France" crown on the 14th, becoming the oldest winner in the pageant's history.
Anganie Philopon, from the Caribbean French overseas territory of Martinique, won the crown due to a rule change that allows women over 24, as well as married women and mothers, to participate.
In her acceptance speech, Philopon said: "In 2011, a 20-year-old young woman won the runner-up in the Miss Martinique beauty pageant. Today, the same 34-year-old young woman is once again standing in front of you to participate in the beauty pageant, representing Martinique, its diaspora, and all the women who have ever been told it’s too late."
Including doctors and dentists, 30 contestants made it to the Miss France finals. They wore swimsuits, regional costumes, and evening gowns, performed country music, music from the 1990s, and various types of songs, and danced salsa.
After winning the crown, Philopon receives a year’s salary from the Miss France organization, a one-year stay in a Paris apartment, and various gifts provided by sponsors.
A few days before the competition in France, the Miss Netherlands pageant, after 35 years, was canceled. The organizers said they are "keeping up with the times" and will turn to operate a platform to share stories of successful women and those "fighting against issues like unrealistic beauty standards."