Miss Nord Pas-de-Calais crowned amidst racist backlash online
- Sabah Aib, a contestant of Miss France 2024, has faced significant backlash and racist comments online due to her north African heritage.
- She responded to the abuse by asserting her identity and emphasizing that her origins are part of her history, but do not define her.
- Her victory has been celebrated as a win for diversity, demonstrating that beauty can take many forms and challenging societal norms.
In October 2023, Sabah Aib, an 18-year-old law student, made headlines after being crowned Miss Nord Pas-de-Calais in France. As the daughter of parents with north African roots—her father being of Algerian descent and her mother Moroccan—her victory aimed to represent diversity in beauty contests. However, shortly after her triumph, Aib was subjected to a barrage of racist hate on social media, where her heritage became a focal point for online trolls. Responding to the negative backlash, Aib took to Instagram to reinforce her identity and heritage. She articulated that her name is integral to her identity and that her north African origins are a part of her personal narrative, but they do not solely define who she is. This stance reflects a growing movement against racism and for self-acceptance, particularly in the media, where diversity is increasingly becoming a celebrated aspect of beauty. The criticism surrounding Aib's appearance was compounded by broader societal expectations of beauty, where traditional looks often prevail. Despite these challenges, her win serves as a catalyst for discussions around the inclusivity of beauty standards in France. Support quickly emerged from the public and prominent figures, highlighting solidarity against the wave of negativity. Aib's journey underscores the importance of representation in beauty pageants and the imperative to challenge and change outdated perceptions of beauty, paving the way for future contestants who may not fit conventional molds.