Miss Côte d’Ivoire: Marlène Kany Kouassi’s performance reignites debate over contestants’ preparation

Marlène Kany Kouassi, Côte d’Ivoire’s representative at Miss Grand International, delivered a performance praised by several observers, prompting both pride and questions about how contestants are selected. On social media, Ibrahim Fernandez said she had already won everything, while questioning the country’s strategy for choosing its representatives. The article argues that contestants should be matched to each competition’s requirements beyond physical appearance and emphasizes focused preparation in public speaking, interviews, general knowledge and pageant conventions.