The fiercely competitive world of French beauty pageants is not known for sparking philosophical debate between Catholic bishops and politicians, let alone a threatened uprising on an exotic ocean island. But the pre-Christmas contest for Miss France 2008 has caused a row over blasphemy, race and ancient colonial prejudice after it emerged that the winner once posed in a bikini as Jesus on a crucifix.

Miss World's swimsuits and high-heels may be seen as passé in Britain, but across the channel the Miss France competition is a festive institution attracting about 10 million viewers in a three-hour prime time TV show.

This month a panel of sporting and showbiz celebrities, aided by a public vote, gave the crown to Valérie Bègue, 22, a mixed race business student from the Indian Ocean island, Réunion. She returned to a hero's welcome by the 800,000 inhabitants of the island off Madagascar, which, like Guadeloupe and Martinique, is considered as much part of France as the Côte d'Azur. The first Réunion islander to be voted Miss France since 1978, Begue spoke of "diversity and tolerance" and celebrated the anniversary of the end of slavery.

But the mood soured when photographs taken three years ago were sold to a French magazine last week showing Bègue posing as Christ on a crucifix in a pink bikini. Other pictures showed her eating yogurt in a suggestive manner.

Labels: Jesus, Religion, Valérie Bègue

Posted by Ahenobarbus on Wednesday, December 26, 2007 at 6:41 AM | Permalink