Miss Seychelles postpones pageant to 2021 due to COVID-19 |15 May 2020
According to the organisers, the contestants have reacted positively to the announcement and understand the reason why the pageant needs to be postponed
The return of the Miss Seychelles national pageant, which took a two-year hiatus, has been rescheduled to take place in 2021.
The pageant was set to play out on June 17 at the Berjaya Beau Vallon Bay Resort & Spa with the participation of 12 contestants, but has been pushed back due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Stephanie Duval, chairperson of Beauty Empowerment Seychelles (BES), confirmed that the organising committee finalised the decision in a meeting held on Wednesday.
The exact date on which the pageant will be held is expected to be communicated at a later date.
Ms Duval noted that BES chose to host the pageant next year rather than later this year because of the uncertainty of how long the pandemic will be around.
“We really have no idea what is going to happen; nobody does. Like health experts are saying, there might be a second wave of the virus so we’d rather wait and be safe,” she highlighted.
She also noted that a significant number of businesses have been impacted by COVID-19, especially those in the hospitality industry, and hence it would be difficult for the pageant and its contestants to gain sponsorships.
Ms Duval added that the Miss Seychelles contestants have reacted positively to the announcement and understand the reason why the pageant needs to be postponed.
BES expects to meet with all 12 contestants in two weeks’ time.
One of the contestants, 21-year-old Gabriella Gonthier, said: “I had already adapted to the mindset that the pageant would be in June but I’m a bit relieved it’s been postponed.”
“I’m focusing on the good side; it gives me more time to prepare myself mentally and physically. It actually gives us all time to better prepare for the big return of Miss Seychelles, the national pageant.”
Hillary Joubert was the last Miss Seychelles to be crowned in 2017 when the pageant was still headed and organised by the CINEA. Miss Joubert subsequently took part in the 2017 Miss World pageant in Sanya, China.
It is unclear whether Miss Seychelles 2021 will take part in the next Miss World pageant but BES is in negotiations with various international pageants to see which one Miss Seychelles will contest.
Elsie Pointe