From Oudtshoorn to the world: How Miss SA 2024, Mia le Roux changed the stigma around beauty pageants

Mia le Roux’s journey from “Crown Chasers” to being crowned Miss SA 2024 is undeniably inspiring. As the first deaf contestant and winner, le Roux’s crowning changed the notion and stigma of beauty pageants forever!

In the past, beauty pageants were known to be for women who were "perfect", very slim and tall.

However, we have seen the evolution and dedication in beauty pageants de-stigmatising the brand and after le Roux's glorious and inspiring stride, it is now clear that the evolution of beauty pageants is visible.

Le Roux's journey on “Crown Chasers" (a reality show that gives fans the behind-the-scenes of the Top 16 Miss SA contestants as they all compete for the crown) was interesting to look at, since she was the first hearing-impaired Miss SA contestant and netizens anticipated her win.

Despite having difficulties in doing the weekly Crown Chasers challenges, le Roux was very determined and a challenging contestant, as she managed to win the weekly challenges and she further won two weeks in a row.

When le Roux made it to the Top 3 in the finale, South Africans were vying for her on-and-off screen. And when the winner was announced and le Roux was crowned on Saturday night, August 10, netizens flocked to social media and she trended for at least a week.

Celebrities as well as the Miss SA fans celebrated in joy as le Roux made history as the first deaf Miss SA.

After getting crowned, we saw how the stigma around beauty pageants changed and people gained interest again in beauty pageants.

People were now interested in le Roux’s journey and supporting her as the newly-crowned Miss SA. The 28-year-old received nationwide love and support.

Le Roux paved the way for many women across the country and globally as she redefined the perception of beauty pageants through her powerful advocacy of inclusivity and diversity.

Her advocacy has made a big impact for women of all shapes, sizes and backgrounds, to feel seen, heard and appreciate their unique beauty.

Even though her journey on Miss Universe was cut-short due to vertigo, a condition where it feels like you are dizzy and there’s a sense of the world spinning around you, le Roux also made history again as the first hearing-impaired Miss Universe contestant.

Her journey is remarkable and she has made a huge, positive impact for young girls whose dreams are to become the next title holder of any beauty pageant in the world, and who thought that because they are “different”, they would not be seen or heard.

However, dreams are attainable and it does not matter how you look, how different you are or where you come from.

IOL