She won the crown of Miss France, 24 years before Ève Gilles, and this January 3, 2024, Sonia Rolland, who has since become an actress and director, presents “An unexpected destiny” on France 2, which looks back on its own story in the competition, fictionalized to make a film. She talks in particular about the cruelty suffered by the contenders for the title, and defends her colleague from 2024.
“I see a lot of myself in her”
Indeed, after the numerous criticisms surrounding her short hair and her thinness, Sonia Rolland believes: “Ève Gilles is the victim of haters for her physique, like Flora Coquerel (Miss France 2014) or Alicia Aylies (Miss France 2017) were because of the racism that is rampant everywhere. Every year its scandal. I will never understand these anonymous people who attack on the networks”.
And added: “I see a lot of myself in her. It’s true that Eve and I are compared a lot, perhaps because I wore my hair short for a very long time, but also in the energy she gives off. She is raw, I found her very touching in her way of speaking with a little awkwardness, like me who was 18 when I was elected.”
This is not the only point in common that Sonia Rolland found with Ève Gilles. The 42-year-old star assures: “I was voted Miss Conviviality by the other girls. Ève Gilles also has this side, close to others.”
She is full of praise for the young woman. “She is very honest with herself and others. We feel that she has made peace with things that perhaps made her suffer when she was younger,” remarked the woman who participated this year in the pre-selection competition for fifteen semi-finalists. Sonia Rolland explains that Ève has “very impressed” her from the start. “It was unique from start to finish. She was out of the norm, out of category. She arrived in a slightly chic suit that looked very couture. It’s a rough diamond that will be polished throughout the year.”
“I challenge anyone to come forward.”
Finally, Jalil Lespert’s ex responds to the haters and tackles: “Those who are ironic… We can’t imagine how intimidating the speeches to be given on Miss France’s evening are. I challenge anyone to introduce themselves. She will be a very cool Miss.”
F.A.