Putting Beauty right again

•  I am of the personal view that we should have our own overseeing Body consisting of respected and honourable people of authority with a track record of honesty and integrity in the Beauty business
• One must remember that this is the National Representative and would necessarily need to carry a wardrobe of clothes for the  many engagements. 

The dust has not yet settled fully on the recently held local pageant to choose a rightful representative to the next Mrs. World contest. Hot on the heels of the recently abdicated Sri Lankan Mrs. World who is now fighting for something I have pursued for ever so long, being all beauty pageants held in the island nation to be regulated, a need that is decades late, given the alleged intensity of corruption and vice involved in many productions. I am of the personal view that we should have our own overseeing body consisting of respected and honourable people of authority with a track record of honesty and integrity in the Beauty business.

For those of you are impressed with the title and are of the view this is one of the biggest contests in the world, please know that though it was the very first contest for married women, it belongs to the minor category of beauty pageants, with an in-house affiliation to Mrs. America a contest drawing representation from most States within the borders of America. 

The visible glitch in that it seems that the International Body maybe flouting its own rules that calls for contestants to be nationals of their home countries, and holders of valid passports. It is alleged that State winners  represent countries that they only have a trace of heritage from!!

Every year the International Body looks at either a renewal or a new contract to continue the representation on the world stage. It does not seem to matter if the records or the history of previous pageants is questionable. All power is vested in the local National Director.  Even the contracts between the Contestant and the National Director of some of these pagents can be  dubious, allegedly without identification, address, attestation by a Justice of Peace or Lawyer, with no clause in favour of the Contestant who makes a pledge to pay for every single aspect of performance, with no insurance, medical cover in the event of injury or harm, no equal benefits in return, no mileage, whatsoever. 

She is also said to be bound under a ransom in the event she decided to leave the Pageant before the Finale!! It is said that the total cost that each contestant incurred for the many Mini Pageants, its costumes, accessories, props, supporting dancers, effects, musicians, artistes and sets neared 500,000/= each!! There is no transparency in many productions, in fact of the many I have functioned as a Judge, I can honestly say there are only two that adhered to all accepted Rules and Regulations.

On the horror side in some contests, it is alleged that there’s bribery to some extent, sexual harassment and coercion, even sale of the flesh, illegal travel, cheating, anonymous petitions to the embassies against the issuance of visas, big time political influence, wrongful and unethical practices, unfair preferential treatment and considerations in favour of some predetermined contestant, possible evasion of tax and entertainment levies and  Nonpayment of Franchise fees. Yet the local pageant is held with pomp. Sometimes various dubious deals struck with little known shady companies in some unknown corner of the world, results in our representative facing many difficulties. There have been the infamous cases of the sale of titles and crown for as much as Rs.500,000/- which our gullible aspirants seem for some sort of recognition, fall for!!

There is also the important factor of assisting our Ambassadress.I would earnestly ask for sponsors to come forward to assist the contestants who represent the Nation Internationally, especially for the National Costume which over time has become fastidious, theatrical and larger than life. They need sponsors for their formal evening dresses and cocktail dresses. We need the assistance of our National carrier to give gratis transportation for this paraphernalia and some essential apparel. I have known many a contestant who had to leave some of these props back at the last minute as the airport staff refused to load it on board without the payment of a colossal fee. One must remember that this is the National Representative and would necessarily need to carry a wardrobe of clothes for the many engagements. Sponsors for footwear is also a necessity.

It is imperative that at least six months rigorous training be given to the winner in deportment, public speaking, etiquette that includes introductions conversations, table manners, fashionable attire, accessories, make up, so that she is prepared.   I think it is important for the Government to have an overseeing power over Contests. That would enable her to have an insight of our foreign exchange earning attractions of which she must at some time speak of at the world forum. It is all an educative process and those avenues must be provided to  the Contestant Moving further, it is important for the Nation, its Head and Government to acknowledge World Title Holders on their victory by honouring them. Our last World Title Holder was not even regarded by anyone, not the media, not the State, for almost a year of her reign! How appalling is that.

By Angela Seneviratne