For years, long wigs and weave extensions have dominated beauty pageants in Ivory Coast.
Contestants often spend large amounts of money on outfits and hairstyles, with few opting for a natural look.
Only two contestants have notably embraced natural hair in the pageant’s 60-year history, most recently Marlène-Kany Kouassi, who won in 2022 with her short Afro hair.
Western beauty standards continue to influence global pageants, but changes are slowly emerging.
In 2023, Angélique Angarni-Filopon from Martinique made headlines after winning Miss France at age 34, wearing short natural hair.
This year, Ivory Coast’s pageant organizers have introduced a groundbreaking rule: banning wigs, weaves, and extensions in preliminary competitions.
The competition spans 13 cities in Ivory Coast and two locations abroad for the diaspora.
Organizing committee president Victor Yapobi says the aim is to celebrate natural beauty—whether it’s braids or straightened hair, it must be their own.
Ivory Coast is the only African nation enforcing this rule at the national level.
The organizers also oppose cosmetic surgery and skin lightening, promoting authenticity.
Additional rule changes include lowering the height requirement to 1.67m, raising the age limit to 28, and reducing the entry fee to make participation more accessible.
These changes were made after realizing the financial burden contestants were facing.
At the first preliminary event in Daloa, 21-year-old contestant Emmanuella Dali expressed joy at the new rules, feeling empowered to compete without wigs.
She said the policy boosts her pride as both a woman and an African woman.
