Overdose of beauty pageants in Sri Lanka

…and for what purpose?

You have only got to browse through social media and you would be amazed to see the number of beauty pageants that keep cropping up in the local scene, on a regular basis.

In fact, the local beauty pageant scene is now turning out to be a big joke, with various competitions sprouting up – here, there, and everywhere!

One must keep in mind that the four major international beauty pageants for women are Miss World, Miss Universe, Miss International and Miss Earth.

In our scene, some of these beauty pageants have some crazy titles and are unheard-of, and only serve to promote the image of the local national director (organizer).

They make sure that they are always in the spotlight while the pageant winners are forgotten, on their return home from an international event.

During their reign as beauty queen, the local organisers should ensure that their beauties are involved in projects that are beneficial to the community, society, etc.

This does not happen and one only sees the local organisers getting busy calling for applications for the next event.

The question that is also being asked is whether the winners of some of these so-called beauty pageants, are qualified enough to wear the crown, and then go on to represent the country, internationally?

Unfortunately, what I’ve seen on social media doesn’t answer that question in the affirmative.

Local organisers love to hog the
spotlight

In fact, some of them look pathetic and give the impression that they badly lack what is required to wear…even the local crown.

I wonder if such contestants have a purpose and a reason for participating in a pageant!

First and foremost, you need to have a rational outlook to social issues, be confident, and have a positive aura and an inspiring personality, in addition to beauty.

The organisers are the key to all this and must keep in mind that when a winner is selected, that particular contestant should be trained for the big event – starting from the basic personality skills, like communication and social graces, and then the shaping of a normal person into a model-like personality, which includes catwalk training, dressing, microphone utility, preparation for Q &A round, dress rehearsal, and so on.

Local organisers must remember that selecting a winner and sending her /him abroad for the sole purpose of participating at an international event is a waste of money, time and energy.

Our franchise holders must get their act together or else we will have to be satisfied with some minor, insignificant title, which the international organisers dish out in order to keep the participating countries happy.

Without proper guidance, the language barrier, too, could be a problem for our contestants at international events.

According to knowledgeable sources, and experts in the beauty pageant industry, you need three important qualities to win an international pageant – Attitude, Personality and Confidence.

I’ve also been told that some of the local winners have to fork out quite a tidy sum to go for the international event. In other words, you need the money to win the title, locally.

What’s more, while abroad, contestants hardly have any support from the local organisers.

I believe local beauty pageants should have some level of centralization and coordination, laws, regulations and industry standards.

Over to you, the Minister of Women and Child Affairs, for remedial action.

Of course, there are local pageants that are well organised, and done in a very professional way, and kudos to the people responsible for such pageants.