Sicily Holds Its Own Beauty Contest

Press, Volume XCIII, Issue 27992, 12 June 1956, Page 13

Sicily Holds Its Own Beauty Contest

(Rec. 8 p.m.) PALERMO (Sicily), June 10. Twelve girls steamed out of Palermo to-night, after one of the most hectic beauty contests of all time. It was Sicily's own “Miss Universe” contest. A dispute began as the girls made their way to Palermo. The organisers of the famed annual “Miss Universe” contest at Long Beach. California, said they alone had the right to run a battle of beauty under this title. But Mr Guy Rinaldi, organiser of the Sicily contest, said he had the right. At Palermo the Samples Fair, supported by local police, called off the affair last night because some of the girls were not the real beauty queens of their nations, and some were under 18 years—the minimum in Italy for a beauty queen.

However, the contest was held today—in secret. Police stood guard over a hotel room as - a jury elected “Miss Universe 1957.” Then the chosen beauty was disqualified She was only 17. She was named as Anne Monique, said to be . the current Miss France Cude Petit, safely aged 18 was picked in her place. She was described as the current Miss Paris. Big forces of police escorted the 12 departing girls jo the steamer. A big crowd of Sicilian men stood at the dockside. To-night, the French Consul in Palermo. Mr Spiltalier, said:—“l have •warned the Consul-General in Naples, where the party arrives tomorrow, as well as the Embassy in Rome, that they may have to give the girls and the organisers more financial help than I have already given them.” I