The Miss Universe Morocco (previously called as Miss Maroc) is a national beauty pageant that selects the representative of Morocco for the Miss Universe competition.
| Formation | 1953 |
|---|---|
| Type | Beauty pageant |
| Headquarters | Casablanca |
| Location | |
Membership | Miss Universe Miss World Miss International |
Official language | French |
National director | Saad Bennani |
| Website | missuniversemorocco |
History
editThe Miss Morocco Contest is the oldest continuing beauty contest in Morocco. The contest was first broadcast on television in 1959, with the number of viewers peaking in the nineties when it became watched by nearly half a billion people around the world. The competition qualifies for the Miss Universe election but the country has yet to return to the Miss Universe pageant. Night Star Maroc is currently the owner of the "Miss Maroc" trademark. In 2021 the new formation of Miss Universe Morocco created in Casablanca. The winner expected to be at Miss Universe 2021.[1]
Franchise holders
editThe first known Miss Maroc representing the newly independent nation of Morocco in 1956 was Lydia Marin who competed in Miss World that same year. In 1953, nine women were selected to represent Morocco at Miss Universe, an annual international beauty pageant that is run by the American-based Miss Universe Organization. Between 1950s and 1970s, Morocco sent delegates to major international pageants such as Miss Universe, Miss World, and Miss International pageants. Jacqueline Dorella Bonilla, named Miss Morocco in 1957, was one of the most famous Moroccan competitors to ever make it to the American beauty contest, ending up as one of the top 15 semifinalists in the competition. In 2021 Morocco set to return at Miss Universe under new directorship, Saad Bennani.
Titleholders
edit| Year | Miss Maroc |
|---|---|
| 1953 | Colette Ribes |
| 1956 | Lydia Marin |
| 1957 | Jacqueline Dorella Bonilla |
| 1958 | Jocelyne Lambin |
| 1959 | Raymonde Valle |
| 1960 | Marilyne Escobar |
| 1961 | Irene Gorsse |
| 1962 | Ginette Buenaventes |
| 1963 | Selma Rahal |
| 1964 | Leila Gourmala |
| 1965 | Lucette Garcia |
| 1966 | Joelle Lesage |
| 1967 | Naïma Benjelloun |
| 1968 | Zakia Chamouch |
| 1969 | Rahima Hachti |
| 1975 | Salhi Badia |
| 1978 | Majida Tazi |
| 2002 | Doja Lahlou |
| 2006 | Iman Albani |
| 2012 | Sarah Mouatamid |
| 2015 | Fatima Ezzahra El-Horre |
| 2016 | Sara Belkiz[2] |
| 2018 | Rania Aaït[3] |
| 2021 | Fatima-Zahra Khayat |
Titleholders under Miss Maroc org.
editMiss Universe Morocco
edit- : Declared as Winner
- : Ended as runner-up or top 5/6 qualification
- : Ended as one of the finalists or semifinalists
- : Ended as special awards winner
- the main winner of Miss Maroc represents Morocco at Miss Universe pageant. On occasion, when the winner does not qualify (due to age) for either contest, a runner-up is sent.
| Year | Region | Miss Maroc | Placement at Miss Universe | Special Awards | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Did not compete since 2022—present | |||||
| 2021 | Marrakesh-Safi | Kawtar Benhalima | Unplaced | Saad Bonnani directorship; Replacement — The original winner Fatima-Zahra Khayat did not compete at Miss Universe, due to accident matter, a runner-up Kawtar Benhalima took the title and went to Miss Universe 2021. | |
| Did not compete between 2013—2020 | |||||
| 2012 | Casablanca-Settat | Sarah Mouatamid | Did not compete | Night Star Maroc directorship; Withdrew — Due to franchise matter, Sarah withdrew at Miss Universe 2012. | |
| Did not compete between 1979—2011 | |||||
| 1978 | Rabat-Salé-Kénitra | Majida Tazi | Unplaced | ||
| Did not compete between 1976—1977 | |||||
| 1975 | Rabat-Salé-Kénitra | Salhi Badia | Unplaced | ||
| Did not compete between 1967—1974 | |||||
| 1966 | Rabat-Salé-Kénitra | Joelle Lesage | Unplaced | ||
| Did not compete between 1964—1965 | |||||
| 1963 | Rabat-Salé-Kénitra | Selma Rahal | Unplaced | ||
| 1962 | Rabat-Salé-Kénitra | Ginette Buenaventes | Unplaced | ||
| 1961 | Rabat-Salé-Kénitra | Irene Gorsse | Unplaced | ||
| 1960 | Rabat-Salé-Kénitra | Marilyne Escobar | Unplaced | ||
| Did not compete between 1958—1959 | |||||
| 1957 | Casablanca | Jacqueline Dorella Bonilla | Top 15 | ||
| Did not compete between 1954—1956 | |||||
| 1953 | Casablanca | Colette Ribes | Did not compete | Miss Maroc Organization directorship. | |
References
edit- ^ "Miss Universe Morocco". www.missuniversemorocco.com (in French). 24 October 2021. Retrieved 24 October 2021.
- ^ Miss Morocco 2016
- ^ Miss Morocco 2018
