THE MISS COTE D’IVOIRE 2025 BEAUTY PAGEANT HAS TAKEN A BOLD STEP BY BANNING
Marlene Kany Kouassi Miss Ivory Coast 2022
The Miss Cote d’Ivoire 2025 beauty pageant has taken a bold step by banning weaves, wigs, and other hair extensions during the preselection stages. This decision aims to promote natural beauty and authenticity among contestants.
Contestants are now required to showcase their natural hair, whether short, braided, or shaved.
This decision reflects a broader movement towards embracing natural beauty and authenticity in beauty pageants. By eliminating artificial hair enhancements, the pageant aims to celebrate contestants’ natural features and promote self-acceptance.
In addition to the hair policy, other changes have been implemented:
The minimum height requirement has been adjusted from 1.68 meters to 1.67 meters.
The age limit for participants has been extended from 25 to 28 years.
The registration fee has been reduced from 50,000 FCFA to 30,000 FCFA to encourage broader participation.
These initiatives aim to celebrate authentic African beauty, promote self-acceptance, and encourage confidence among contestants. The 29th edition of Miss Côte d’Ivoire is set to culminate in a grand finale on June 26, 2025, in Abidjan.
According to A’Salfo, the leader of the music group Magic System, this move is a welcome change. He expressed his enthusiasm on Facebook, stating that contestants should exclusively wear their natural hair. A’Salfo even joked that he hopes this rule will be applied to all girls in the country.
This new rule is part of a broader effort to redefine beauty standards in Cote d’Ivoire. The pageant’s organizers have introduced new criteria to emphasize natural beauty and authenticity. While this decision has received support from some, it has also sparked debates about beauty standards and representation.
