The latest topic of discussion is the upper age limit of contestants in beauty pageants. Whilst the Miss Universe pageant has always imposed a limit of 26, the Miss World pageant had a limit of 24 up until a few years ago. It appears that the limit is now also 26. Oddly enough, whilst the upper age limit of contestants has gone up, the average age of winners has gone down at both international pageants. Times have changed and the ever growing modelling market has ensured that pretty young girls no longer need a beauty title to secure a career in that field. There are also a number of international model search competitions with girls as young as 14 walking off with the title. By the time they are past their modelling "sell by date" at the age of 21, they are ready for the pageant world.
Previously you went from pageant winner to supermodel (in many cases), but now it's the other way around. A number of pageant organisations are now securing the participation of their national supermodels (the photographic types, not the bland ramp numbers that have their hands super-glued to their hips) so as to improve their chances at international pageants.
A case in point regarding the "shelf-life" of a pageant contestant is my sentimental favourite, Venezuela, that appears to be heading for yet another non-placement at the Miss World pageant. 26-year-old Maria Milagros Veliz has failed to make an impact in any of the fast-track events. If anything, her failure goes to prove that the Miss World Organisation likes 'em young.
Whilst the Miss SA Organisation is constantly on the look-out for a more mature, independent title-holder that does not need constant supervision, they should take cognisance of the fact that a Miss SA that is one click away from the Violet Kuny, Grey Away and Salusa 45 brigade is not going to make an impact at an international pageant.
Lets be honest, a 26-year-old pageant winner is as bad as a 45-year-old rave queen (complete with "e", bottled water and balsam). Possible, but not desireable.
A case in point regarding the "shelf-life" of a pageant contestant is my sentimental favourite, Venezuela, that appears to be heading for yet another non-placement at the Miss World pageant. 26-year-old Maria Milagros Veliz has failed to make an impact in any of the fast-track events. If anything, her failure goes to prove that the Miss World Organisation likes 'em young.
Whilst the Miss SA Organisation is constantly on the look-out for a more mature, independent title-holder that does not need constant supervision, they should take cognisance of the fact that a Miss SA that is one click away from the Violet Kuny, Grey Away and Salusa 45 brigade is not going to make an impact at an international pageant.
Lets be honest, a 26-year-old pageant winner is as bad as a 45-year-old rave queen (complete with "e", bottled water and balsam). Possible, but not desireable.
