Election of Miss Côte d’Azur 2009 at the Theatre of Verdure

# Anaïs Governatori, wins the title of Miss Côte d’Azur 2009 ©N-P

The setting of the Théâtre de Verdures, modified for the occasion, is like a ballroom, with chairs and tables dressed in white. A champagne bar is set up on the left side of the stage. On the other side, the path leading to the wings is decorated with candles whose flames flicker in the air as if they represented the state of mind of the candidates, whose stress continues to rise backstage before each appearance on stage. Host Olivier Taboué makes his appearance on stage, accompanied by Josiane Valette and Denise Fabre. For him, this election stems from “magic, beauty and class,” as well as respect and the valorization of women. Denise Fabre, assistant to the Mayor in charge of City Profile and Image, and Josiane Valette, regional delegate of the Miss Provence and Miss Côte d’Azur Committee, presented the eight jury members. Among them, Dominique Estrosi Sasonne, delegate for Housing, Social Cohesion, and Fighting Discrimination for the City, Eric Roy, former footballer and currently marketing director of OGC Nice, Bernard Montiel, television host on TMC.

But one miss was missing from this evening: Yasmine Kheil, elected Miss Grasse 2009, was the victim of a serious scooter accident on June 27. Benoît Kandel, first assistant to the Nice town hall, was also present. As was Geneviève de Fontenay, who claims she wants to “remain out of style her whole life,” and hopes that the public will choose “the one who will shine under the lights of TF1 on December 5.”

## A delightful show…

Like the Miss France evening, the Miss show alternated between videos and fashion shows. Whether in evening gowns for the “Champs Elysées” or in sailor uniforms for the “In the navy” tableau, the Miss outfits followed one another until the long-awaited swimsuit parade, around 10 p.m. But of course, beyond their appearance, the candidates introduced themselves in a few words (ages, studies, future projects…). Apart from their participation in this election, the 12 candidates had little in common. Shirine, candidate no. 12, is in her second year at Nice’s business school. Later she would like to be an executive in luxury hospitality. Marine Laugier, candidate no. 1, is a fine arts student. She has a weakness for oil painting. Charlotte Petillon, no. 7, is a law student. The 12 Miss gathered on stage form a dazzling setting. During the costume changes, Priscillia and Teddy performed three shows, sometimes pop, sometimes tango. The flamboyant colors of their costumes were in perfect harmony with their dances.

The public participated in the evening by voting, while the fall-winter 2010 ready-to-wear collection signed by Georges Rech was presented by former Miss from the Côte d’Azur region.

It’s time for the verdict, tension rises for the candidates. The “lady in the hat” wants to add a few words: “I hope the image of Miss France will not be degraded,” alluding to all the scandals of previous Miss France winners. But Geneviève de Fontenay also clarifies that Chloé Mortaud, the winner of Miss France 2009, is currently in the Bahamas where she was preparing for the 2009 Miss Universe competition. She finished in 6th place. It’s time for the verdict, tension rises for the candidates. And it’s Anaïs Governatori who wins the title of Miss Côte d’Azur 2009. With tears in her eyes, this young Nice woman, a student in Foreign Languages and International Relations, thanked the public who elected her.

**…but riddled with incidents**

Sound cuts on several occasions—that’s the detail that nearly destroyed the show organized by Josiane Valette, the regional delegate of the Miss Provence and Miss Côte d’Azur Committee. She moreover expressed her anger on stage. The fashion show by stylist Georges Rech is delayed due to a sound problem. This same incident occurs during the video “The Miss Family on the Côte d’Azur.” Each time, the host tried to overlook the technical problems by improvising comic gestures. Finally, aside from these temporary incidents, the show was a success!

Anaïs Governatori will represent the Alpes-Maritimes region at the Miss France 2010 election, which will take place on December 5, 2009 at the Palais Nikaïa in Nice. We wish her good luck!