Priscillia owes her election solely to a lucky draw that turned out well. It selected a 22-year-old from Nice, or rather, 22 years minus one week (she was born on February 15). A wonderful birthday present for Priscillia Commer. Since her childhood, she has been attending the Nice Carnival with her mother. It forms part of her earliest memories and emotions. Did the child she was dream of becoming Queen? It doesn’t matter. She is proud today to represent her city for ten days. She has participated in other beauty contests. She could have been Miss Côte d’Azur or aspired to other titles. But for Priscillia, nothing compares to her election as the Queen of the Nice Carnival 2007. “I prefer being the Carnival Queen to being Miss France,” she declares with conviction.
Today’s society relies on beauty standards and promotes them. The body is more important than the soul. The election of the Carnival Queen, without meaning any disrespect to the jury and the organization, follows the spirit of the times. But Priscillia is not just a beauty with enchanting measurements: 5’9, 112 lbs, and a 31-inch bust. Her charm lies in her naturalness, her simplicity. Naturally, as during the jury’s question: “What is your favorite film genre?” One would expect a contrived, risk-free answer like “romantic movies” or a hint of rebellious spirit “I am a woman for the power of women, my favorite movie is Bridget Jones.” Priscillia, without thinking for a second to mask a truth that could be prejudicial to her, replies: “I like horror movies.” The audience is surprised. Priscillia stands out.
It’s hard to imagine her being unhappy. Just after the election, after slipping into her street clothes and grabbing a glass of champagne, she lets herself be surrounded at a table by journalists’ questions. With a seductive and mischievous smile, she talks about her frequent outings to La Bodéguita, to the Stadium. She explains how she enjoys taking a higher viewpoint to admire the city and the coastline, that she faithfully follows the results of the OGC Nice soccer team. She jokes, answers without hesitation, never losing her clarity. “I like rock in the style of Elvis Priestley,” she confides. This session lasts just a few minutes, but at the end of it, you feel like you know her.
A week later, in the moment of a phone call while her workday at the General Council is winding down, we find the same simplicity. “Good evening Priscillia. So a week later, what has changed in your life?” Response: “Nothing has changed.” She just had to take a day off next Wednesday for the Battle of the Flowers. Despite her statement, her week was anything but ordinary. Her colleagues congratulated her. Her loved ones, too. “I received texts from people I hadn’t seen anymore,” explains the young woman. After the questions from Géraldine Mayr of France Bleu Azur and Nice-Premium on Thursday the 8th, she had to respond to those from Nice Matin, France3, and Le Petit Niçois. The internal journal of the General Council also reaches out to her. “No problem. And I’m not a star and journalists are nice people,” she replies. 
On the eve of starting the Carnival, what she was elected to do, nothing scares her. It’s time for the final adjustments and settings on the float before revealing her crystalline face to the locals and tourists. Lovers will emerge, but her heart is already taken.
Since her election, she is advised by Bernard Morel, director of the Nice Tourism Office. Priscillia has a few requests: “I would like to participate in charitable activities and meet children in schools.” Likely, her memories of the carnival and childhood dreams are resurfacing.
