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In a groundbreaking move, the Miss Côte d’Ivoire pageant has announced a ban on wigs and weaves for its 2025 competition.
The decision, made public on January 28, 2025, aims to celebrate and promote natural beauty, encouraging contestants to embrace their authentic selves.
This bold new rule requires participants to showcase their natural hair in any form—whether long, short, braided, or shaved. It marks the first time a national beauty pageant has taken such a step, signalling a shift toward empowering women to feel confident in their unaltered appearance.
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Victor Yapobi, president of the organising committee, emphasised that the change aligns with a broader effort to highlight African beauty and authenticity.
He pointed to past Miss Universe winners who have confidently sported short, natural hair as inspiration for the decision.
The move was also influenced by Marlene Kouassi, Miss Côte d’Ivoire 2022, who made headlines for competing with her short natural hair. Her success and impact have played a key role in redefining beauty standards within the pageant scene.
Reactions to the new rule have been mixed. Some praise the decision as a step toward self-acceptance and African pride, celebrating it as a move away from Western beauty ideals. Others, however, see it as a restriction on Black women’s choices and personal expression, arguing that true empowerment lies in the freedom to choose one’s hairstyle.
In addition to the ban on wigs and weaves, the pageant has introduced further changes. The minimum height requirement has been lowered from 1.68 meters to 1.67 meters, and the age limit has been raised from 25 to 28 years, making the competition more inclusive.
The Miss Côte d’Ivoire 2025 crowning is set to take place on June 26, 2025, where the impact of these new regulations will be closely observed. Whether seen as a progressive shift or a controversial mandate, this decision marks a significant moment in the evolution of beauty pageants in Africa.
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