‘Miss World’ controversy

Press, Volume CX, Issue 32462, 24 November 1970, Page 15

‘Miss World’ controversy

(N.Z.P.A.-Reuter—Copyright) LONDON, Nov. 23. The controversy surrounding the crowning in London, of Grenada’s dusky beauty queen as the new “Miss World,” spread quickly into the British press. The “News of the World” published a picture of the winning air hostess, Miss Jennifer Hosten, aged 22, under the banner headline: “Well, is she the most beautiful girl in- the world?” The newspaper’s front-page story outlined the complicated system of scoring used by Mecca, the organisers of the contest, and described the reactions of millions of viewers who, it said flooded the British Broadcasting Corporation’s telephone switchboard with protests after the televised show. The “News of the World” reported that fewer than four of the nine judges placed the West Indian beauty in first place, and that four others chose “Miss Sweden,” Miss Maj Johansson, aged 20. But the reaction from the unruffled new queen was: “I like to think I have personality and intelligence, and I think that these qualities can shine through and be seen by the judges. The newspaper reported that Miss Hosten, a 25-to-l outsider in the contest, which attracted heavy betting, added: “I do not consider myself to be the most beautiful girl in the world, but I don’t think I’m unpleasant to the eye.” Her win was stoutly de-

fended by the Mecca execu-1 tive who organised the show,’ Mr Eric Morley. i "Miss Grenada won be-1 cause she had the better av-: erage,” he said. “The result I was the will of the majority.” i “Miss Grenada” took the i title because, under the complicated "sliding system” of’ marking, if no girl had an < absolute majority of first ’ places, her second-place votes i were taken into consideration. ’ Miss Hosten had a large number of second-place votes, i Had “Miss Sweden” gained. just one more second, she ’ would have been the new 1 “Miss World.” <

The “Sunday Mirror” featured remarks by Grenada’s Premier (Mr Eric Gairy), who was one of the judges in the contest —a fact that has not escaped the attention of

many critics. Three other members of the panel of judges were also black. ‘'The last time ‘Miss United Kingdom’ was voted ‘Miss World,’ there were five British judges on the panel, so why all the fuss now?” Mr Gairy is reported as saying. “The whole thing seems to have been caused by a colour complex—what other answer is there?” The “People,” reporting that many of the other girls in the contest were bitter and angry at the result, quoted the actress, Joan Collins, who was one of the judges, as saying: “Miss Grenada” just wasn’t the most beautiful girl there.” “Miss Switzerland” (Miss Sylvia Weisser, aged 22) comnented: “It was political. I lave nothing against coloured girls, but how ’Miss Grenada’ could win I don’t know.” The Australian entrant. Miss Valli Kemp, aged 20, was also annoyed. “I’d never enter the ‘Miss World’ contest again,” she is quoted as saying. "The judges didn’t know what they were judging. Miss Grenada should never have won. “When I was eliminated it was quite a shock. A number of the most beautiful girls were not place-winners. ‘Miss Africa South’ shouldn’t have won second place.” Mrs Joan Jessop, the mother of “Miss South Africa” (Miss Jillian Jessop), who was fifth, complained that her daughter knew she could not be “Miss World” because, she said, “only a black girl could win.” “We all know it was a political choice,” Mrs Jessop is quoted by the “Sunday Express” in Johannesburg.