Indira Ampiot leaves for Vietnam on Friday, August 7, to represent France at the 75th edition of the Miss World pageant on September 5. The 21-year-old from Guadeloupe previously won Miss France 2023 at age 18 and placed 20th at the Miss Univers competition in 2024.
Ampiot inherited the Miss World France title in the spring. Representatives from the Miss France Society initially approached her about the role in March during an event announcing Celine Dion concerts in Paris. After a presentation photoshoot, her candidacy became official two months later. Estelle Sabathier of the Miss France Society presented her with the official sash during the filming of her promotional video, which was shared on Instagram.
For the Miss Univers contest in Mexico, Ampiot worked with catwalk coach Ritchy Cobral to develop a showgirl persona named Valentina. For Miss World, she plans to present her natural self on stage without altering her personality. She noted that Miss World features 100 more candidates than Miss France and operates in English, which requires her to practice telling jokes in English.
Preparation in Guadeloupe and Family Support
Ampiot completed her event preparations in Guadeloupe, where she lived until age 17. Although her father lives in Spain and her brother lives in Bali, spending time with family helped ease the stress of preparation. Her presentation video features her family as well as a scene filmed at her grandmother's grave. She stated that her grandmother fought cancer while Ampiot was between seven and 17 years old.
Because of her family experience, Ampiot selected the fight against cancer as her project for the Beauty with a Purpose section of Miss World. She previously championed the same cause during her Voice for Change presentation at Miss Univers. She explained that her previous work with healthcare workers and charitable associations made cancer awareness the only cause she considered representing.
Former beauty queens Clémence Botino, who was Miss France 2020, and Ophély Mezino, who placed as first runner-up at Miss World 2019, featured in her announcement video and offer ongoing guidance. Ampiot described them as big sisters who send frequent text messages to check on her progress. Both mentors are attempting to arrange travel to Vietnam or follow the event closely from afar.
Competition Challenges and National Costume
The Miss World event spans several weeks of challenges before selecting the top 40 contestants for the final ceremony. Botino warned Ampiot about the intensity of the sports challenge, but Ampiot views the physical test as motivation to exceed her limits. Ampiot also expressed excitement about reuniting with former Miss Univers 2024 competitor Opal Suchata Chuangsri of Thailand, who won Miss World last year.
Ampiot kept specific details about her national costume private but revealed that it represents something universally associated with France rather than a historic monument. Previous French contestants wore costumes representing Marie-Antoinette, worn by Botino two years ago, and Notre-Dame de Paris, worn by Agathe Cauet last year. Ampiot added that her brother will travel from Bali to Vietnam to support her in person during the competition.
France has not won Miss World since Denise Perrier claimed the crown in 1953, making it the country's sole victory in the event's 75-year history. Ampiot said blue is now her favorite color because it matches the Miss World crown, which she visualizes wearing on September 5. She reflected that her journey began when she entered the Miss Basse-Terre pageant with nothing to lose before winning Miss Guadeloupe and Miss France.
