In a groundbreaking decision, the Miss Côte d’Ivoire pageant has banned wigs and weaves for its 2025 competition, encouraging contestants to embrace their natural hair. Announced on January 28, 2025, this move aims to promote authenticity and celebrate African beauty in its purest form.
Victor Yapobi, president of the organizing committee, explained that the new rule is designed to highlight natural African hair. Contestants must now showcase their real hair, whether long, short, braided, or shaved. This marks the first time a national beauty pageant has implemented such a policy, making it a historic shift in the industry.
The decision was partly influenced by Marlene Kouassi, who won Miss Côte d’Ivoire in 2022 while proudly wearing her short natural hair. In addition to the ban on wigs and weaves, the pageant has also adjusted its eligibility criteria—reducing the minimum height requirement from 1.68 meters to 1.67 meters and increasing the age limit from 25 to 28 years.
The 2025 Miss Côte d’Ivoire grand finale is set for June 26, and the new rule has already sparked mixed reactions. Supporters see it as a progressive step toward embracing African beauty standards, while critics argue it restricts personal expression. Regardless of the debate, this decision has reignited conversations about beauty, identity, and representation in pageantry.