No wigs please - the new rules shaking up beauty pageants

Yahoo! News - Apr 6th, 2025
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In a bold move, the organizers of the Miss Ivory Coast beauty pageant have banned wigs, weaves, and hair extensions during the preliminary stages of the competition, a first for national beauty contests in Africa. This rule aims to promote natural beauty, encouraging contestants to showcase their authentic selves with their own hair, whether braided or straightened. The change has sparked diverse reactions among participants, with some embracing the new regulations as empowering, while others feel it restricts personal expression. The rule change also includes adjustments to height and age requirements, reducing the financial burden on participants.

This initiative is significant as it challenges the longstanding preference for Western beauty standards in global pageants, encouraging a shift towards recognizing and valuing African beauty. With the hair industry in Ivory Coast valued at over $300 million, the ban could have economic implications, particularly for businesses reliant on wigs and weaves. However, the move has garnered international attention and praise, indicating a possible shift in beauty norms. The impact of this decision could extend beyond pageants, influencing broader societal attitudes towards natural hair and beauty standards in the region.

Story submitted by Fairstory

RATING

7.2
Fair Story
Consider it well-founded

The article provides a comprehensive overview of the recent changes in the Miss Ivory Coast beauty pageant rules, emphasizing the move towards natural beauty and authenticity. It effectively balances multiple perspectives, including those of contestants, organizers, and industry stakeholders, while maintaining a clear and engaging narrative. The article's strengths lie in its timeliness and public interest, as it addresses relevant cultural and economic issues. However, it could benefit from more diverse sourcing and greater transparency in its economic impact analysis. Overall, the story is well-researched and informative, with the potential to influence public opinion and spark meaningful discussions about beauty standards and cultural identity.

RATING DETAILS

7
Accuracy

The story presents several factual claims, such as the dominance of wigs and weaves in Ivory Coast's beauty pageants and the recent changes in pageant rules. These claims are largely verifiable through historical data and official statements from the pageant organizers. The mention of Marlè€ne-Kany Kouassi's victory with natural hair and the ban on wigs and weaves are specific and can be cross-referenced with pageant records and announcements from the Miss Ivory Coast organizing committee. However, some claims, like the exact financial impact on the hair industry and the broader cultural implications, require more robust data and external validation. The story's accuracy is solid in its primary claims but would benefit from additional sourcing to confirm economic and cultural impacts.

8
Balance

The article effectively presents multiple perspectives on the changes to the beauty pageant rules. It includes opinions from contestants who support the move towards natural beauty and those who feel it restricts personal expression. The piece also highlights the economic concerns of hairdressers and the cultural significance of wigs and weaves in West Africa. By providing a range of viewpoints, the article maintains a balanced narrative, though it slightly leans towards favoring the natural beauty movement by emphasizing positive feedback from contestants and organizers.

8
Clarity

The article is well-structured and clearly articulates the main points regarding the changes in the beauty pageant rules. The language is straightforward and accessible, with a logical flow that guides the reader through the narrative. The use of direct quotes adds clarity and authenticity to the story. However, the article could benefit from a more concise presentation of the economic implications and a clearer distinction between factual reporting and opinion.

6
Source quality

The article cites direct quotes from Victor Yapobi, the president of the Miss Ivory Coast organizing committee, and various contestants, which adds credibility to the narrative. However, it lacks a diverse range of authoritative sources, such as economic analysts or cultural experts, to substantiate claims about the financial and cultural impacts. The reliance on the BBC as a primary source provides a level of reliability, but the inclusion of more varied and independent sources could enhance the article's overall credibility.

7
Transparency

The article is transparent in its reporting, clearly attributing quotes and providing context for the changes in the beauty pageant rules. It explains the motivations behind the rule changes and the reactions from various stakeholders. However, it could improve by offering more detailed explanations of the methodology behind the economic impact estimates and the selection of interviewees. Greater transparency regarding the potential biases of the sources cited would also strengthen the article.

Sources

  1. https://theafricanlane.com/2025/02/06/the-miss-cote-divoire-2025-beauty-pageant-has-taken-a-bold-step-by-banning/
  2. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fnV5Tn30JpE
  3. https://www.lipstickalley.com/threads/miss-c%C3%B4te-d%E2%80%99ivoire-pageant-bans-weaves-and-wigs-from-upcoming-beauty-competition.5834189/
  4. https://marieclaire.ng/is-cote-divoire-redefining-beauty-standards-with-the-new-ban-on-hair-extensions/
  5. http://africabriefing.com/miss-cote-divoire-2025-bans-wigs-weaves-for-contest/?scfm-mobile=1