The Journey of Miss Martinique 2023

On September 23, 2023, the life of a 21-year-old from Vauclin changed completely. That night, among about a dozen other contestants, she stood out and captivated both the audience and the jury. Her name is Chléo Modestine!

Born in Essonne and raised in Brittany, France, she discovered Martinique for the first time in 2022 and then resided in Vauclin, Martinique. Her mother is of Breton origin, while her father is from Martinique. This cultural mix had a significant impact on her. She explained that dealing with her two different origins was initially challenging, but with time, she embraced this rich heritage. She now fully embraces the colors and traditions of both backgrounds. Describing herself as vibrant, compassionate, determined, and motivated! Studying international commerce, she was also working as a ready-to-wear salesperson when she entered the Miss Martinique pageant.

Miss France Throughout the Years

Created in 1920 by Maurice de Waleffe, Miss France has become the most prominent beauty pageant in France. While there are many such pageants, others are less popular. There is also a male counterpart called Mister France. Highly watched during its televised broadcasts, the show has often been criticized for its beauty criteria (no tattoos or surgery), height (over 1.70 meters), weight, and age (between 18 and 24 years). However, since 2023, changes have occurred and have been warmly welcomed by the public to make the contest more inclusive and modern, similar to other countries worldwide. Married women, mothers, or those in a civil union can now participate, as well as tattooed women, transgender individuals, and those over 24 years old.

To date, four Miss Guadeloupe titleholders have won the Miss France crown: Véronique de la Cruz, Miss France 1993, Corinne Coman, Miss France 2003, Clémence Botino, Miss France 2020, and Indira Ampiot, Miss France 2023. For Guyana, only Alicia Aylies was crowned Miss France in 2017. Martinique has never won the crown.

Do you think Chléo Modestine will succeed Indira Ampiot as Miss France? Share your thoughts in the comments!