Just because a rocket scientist can run does not mean that an athlete can build a rocket. Why did I tell you that? It's all about the model versus beauty queen distinction.If you look at the profiles of former contestants at Miss SA, at least 80% of them will list model or part-time model as a profession or hobby. But how many super or top models can list a pageant title as one of their achievements? Not many!
A case in point is the 1988 Beeld Model of the Year contest. At the time, the Beeld Model of the Year contest enjoyed the same prestige as the Ford and Elite model searches. Included in the list of 10 finalists were Suzette van der Merwe and Diana Tilden-Davis. Neither girl won the contest, but Suzette was crowned Miss SA in 1990 and Diana was crowned Miss SA in 1991. Amanda de Waal, the winner of the contest, failed in her bid to win the Miss SA title in 1991 when she only made the semi-finals of the pageant.
This is not an isolated case of a beauty queen having modelling skills and a model not being pretty enough to win a beauty pageant. How many of the world's supermodels have won a national pageant and how many national pageant winners have gone on to become supermodels? Very few.
Neither Cindy Crawford nor Claudia Schiffer won their national pageant (although they both could have if they tried I suspect), and the mere fact that the insanely gorgeous Jennifer Hawkins models from time to time does not mean she will ever be considered a supermodel. Most Miss's World or Universe include modelling in their list of skills, but very few supermodels have a beauty pageant title under their belts.
The distinction between a model and a beauty queen is a grey area and I doubt that we will ever agree on a well-defined distinction between the two roles. What is clear, however, is that many of the top models that grace the runway in Paris, New York and London will never win a beauty pageant.
My personal preference is for the wholesome, All-American (the stereotype) look. I would pick the bubbly, ditzy, pageant patty type over the walking, talking breathing clothes horse every time.
