35-year tradition of the Miss Netherlands pageant scrapped. So, what will the nation discuss now?
Let’s be realistic. At least once in their life, everyone has either talked about the participants or winners of beauty pageants or been exposed to such conversations. Most of these discussions revolve around someone’s legs, face, or hair. Although beauty is subjective, it’s clear that there are global and societal standards. Before the term “body shaming” was invented, countless bodies were put on trial and their beauty debated without even knowing what the term meant. “Who is more beautiful?”
While some believe that inner beauty, education, and eloquence are more important, this opinion has often sounded like a minority complaint. Those who dared to oppose the idea of evaluating physical beauty were often labeled as “too intellectual” or accused of jealousy. As a result, beauty pageants have continued for years without losing their popularity in many countries.
WHY DID THE NETHERLANDS CANCEL IT?
The Miss Netherlands pageant, which has been running for 35 years, will no longer take place. For some time, beauty contests have been a topic of debate in the country, and the organizers explained their reasoning behind the decision as follows: “With the rise of social media and unrealistic portrayals of beauty, women feel insecure. Moreover, audience criticisms have become uncontrollable, and each year, we are met with negative energy and comments.”
Organizer Monica Van Ee stated that the comments on social media in recent years, such as “too white” or “too black,” as well as the death threats received by trans winner Rikkie Kollé in 2023, influenced their decision. The pageant will no longer take place. So, what will the Netherlands compete in now? The organizers are pursuing a new initiative to replace the beauty contest: No Longer of This Time. This event will focus on mental health, diversity, and inspiring stories, but its exact purpose remains unclear.
THE FIRST BEAUTY PAGEANT IN HISTORY
Now let’s take a step back and look at how beauty pageants originated. It’s possible to trace their roots back to mythology. Around 2000 BCE, a beauty contest was held where Eris, Hera, Athena, and Aphrodite competed against one another. The judge was Paris, the son of King Priam and Queen Hecuba of ancient Troy. The four beauties showcased themselves to win Paris’s favor. This first beauty contest in history was also the beginning of a war.
Here, we are not concerned with the mythological chaos caused by Paris awarding the apple to Aphrodite and abducting Helen, sparking a conflict. But it’s worth noting the basic principles set by this event: women competing in beauty, men doing the judging.
BRITAIN’S PRIDE
In modern times, the perception and standards of beauty have changed, but the number of pageants has only increased. The first modern beauty contest took place in Belgium in 1888 under the name Concours de Beauté, with 350 participants. The first official international beauty contest was held in London in 1908. Britain continues to take pride in this achievement.
THE “HONORABLE” NOTE IN TURKEY
The first beauty contest in Turkey was somewhat controversial, similar to ancient times. In 1925, the contest was held at Melek Cinema in Beyoğlu, and the winner was Mademoiselle Araksi Çetinyan. However, the competition was later deemed invalid.
In his 2010 article Forgotten Certified Beauties in Atlas History magazine, Gazanfer İbar mentioned the incident, though the reason for the invalidation remains unclear and is largely ignored by many. According to İbar, the competition’s annulment was due to the lack of seriousness among the public and the press. Mademoiselle Çetinyan’s employment as an usher at Melek Cinema and accusations of favoritism led to speculation about connections or family ties between her and the jury.
Another contest was held in 1929, and Çetinyan placed third this time. The first announcement about this competition in the Cumhuriyet newspaper included the phrase: “Every honorable Turkish girl may participate.” It also stated, “Bar women are prohibited from competing.”
FOCUS ON WOMEN’S BEAUTY
Since ancient times, beauty pageants have focused primarily on women. While there are beauty contests for men today, they are rare and limited globally.
Contestants must be single and have never given birth.
EARLY CRITICISM
The first criticisms of beauty contests emerged in the 1960s with the rise of the feminist movement. Protests highlighted that evaluations based on physical beauty objectified women. Feminist activists managed to introduce some changes at the time. From then on, beauty contests started to consider not only physical appearance but also talent, intelligence, personality, and education. However, the sincerity of these changes is debatable.
HOW TO APPLY FOR A BEAUTY PAGEANT?
While the perception of beauty evolves over time and varies from person to person and society to society, many global pageants share similar criteria. For example, participants are expected to be over 18 but under 30, pay an entry fee, submit required documents, and include a portrait and swimsuit photo. Contestants also agree to grant the organization rights to use their photos in all future content. It’s worth noting that the idea of showcasing beauty in swimsuits originated in the 1920s, thanks to the Miss America pageant.
A MOTHER CANNOT BE A MISS UNIVERSE
The most comprehensive and popular beauty contest today is Miss Earth. One of its main criteria is that participants must be born female. The second is that contestants must be single and have never given birth. It’s impossible for a woman who has given birth to win Miss Earth. The remaining criteria involve measurements: contestants must be at least 1.62 meters tall. While there is no explicit weight requirement, the phrase “perfect physical condition” gives an idea.
WHAT DID THE SUBSTANCE REMIND US OF?
Miss Netherlands’ pageant cancellation may or may not cause much stir in the country. However, it certainly offers hope for individuals opposing the idea of beauty competitions and their rigid standards. Recently released and widely popular in Turkey, the movie The Substance is a poignant reminder of this. The film critiques modern society’s imposed ideals of beauty and success, exploring the pressure they place on women. The Netherlands’ decision seems like a real-world reflection of the movie’s themes. But whether this will be a lasting change or just a passing trend remains uncertain. As for Turkey, it’s yet to be seen whether the conditions and perceptions here are ready for such a transformation.
After The Substance: Films To Watch That Broke the Mold
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