Miss France Organization Limited Media Exposure for Reigning Queen Following Online Harassment
PARIS – Following a year marked by controversy and “virulent attacks” on social media, Miss France 2024 Angélique Angarni-Filopon was asked by Frédéric Gilbert, president of the Miss France society, to adopt a more “discreet” media presence. The directive, revealed in a recent Europe 1 interview, aimed to “preserve” Angarni-Filopon in the face of intense criticism, including instances of “racist, ageist” attacks and backlash related to her media exposure.
Angarni-Filopon, a flight attendant, faced public scrutiny after declining to comment on both the Mazan rape case and a question regarding her stance on Charlie Hebdo on the tenth anniversary of the newspaper’s attack. Her response to the latter, choosing not to state whether she was “Charlie,” was deemed “insufficient” by some online, triggering a wave of “cyberbullying.”
The Miss France organization responded by limiting Angarni-Filopon’s media appearances, acknowledging the “brutal hyperexposure” that transforms a Miss France’s reign into a “race of endurance.” Gilbert stated, “At 12:44 a.m., you have one that becomes Miss France, who sees life turned upside down and which falls into the media whirlwind.“
Despite these “difficulties,” Angarni-Filopon is preparing for a transition into a new media role, slated to participate in the 2026 season of Dancing with the Stars, becoming the tenth Miss france to appear on the show. This move is seen as a way to reconnect with the public in a “light and joyful” environment.
Though, this decision appears to contradict Gilbert’s own stated need to protect Angarni-Filopon. When questioned by journalist Thomas Isle about requests to “reduce its appearances,” Gilbert conceded, “Clearly yes, after a while you have to protect it.” He emphasized the “precaution” necessary to safeguard the mental health of a young woman “propelled into the spotlight overnight.”