“Two years ago, there was the sister of a world champion
(Editor's note: Annabelle Varane, Miss Nord - Pas-de-Calais whose brother is Raphaël Varane)
.
This year, we have that of a former Miss France, and I warned right away: all young girls are treated the same, ”says Sylvie Tellier.
During the first meeting between the 29 regional misses and the patroness of the competition in the cozy lounges of the Trianon Palace in Versailles (Yvelines), the subject was swept away in a few sentences.
Yes, Miss Bourgogne will inevitably attract more attention than the other "girls" during the final of the competition on December 19 at Puy du Fou (Vendée) ... Many eyes will then turn to Lou-Anne ... Lorphelin, 23 years old, the cadet of Marine Lorphelin, Miss France 2013.
The young woman with lagoon eyes, originally from Mâcon (Saône-et-Loire), admits it bluntly: “If my sister had not been Miss France, I would never have stood for election.
However, she did not commit on a whim.
“I took the time to think.
I needed to be sure of myself.
With my last name, I knew that we were bound to talk about a lack of legitimacy.
»Is it more difficult?
"Yes, that's for sure ... because I'm expected at the turn, assumes Lou-Anne.
I feel that I am very watched?
But today, I am 23 years old, I am more mature.
At 18, I was too shy.
There, I manage to take a step back.
"
His studies in parentheses
To try the crowned adventure, she had to put her studies on hold.
“I am always between my region, with my parents, where I take my courses in business school by videoconference and work-study program in marketing and business for the Décleor brand, at L'Oréal,” she explains.
It's been a lot of work but I wanted to finish everything so that I could focus to death on my preparation.
I requested an absence for the month of preparation for Miss France.
But, if I am elected that will be another story… ”
While waiting Lou-Anne is only one contender like any other among the queens of beauty in contention, chaining the courses of good manners, parade with Arnaud Sol-Dourdin, "a grail" for her.
"The week is very busy but I like it a lot," she breathes.
There are interviews with journalists, promotional shoots.
I had trained with the election of Miss Burgundy and it is essential to give a good impression.
There are no right or wrong answers, I just want to stay natural, present myself as I am.
Despite his schedule and the days that start early, there is no sign of fatigue.
"There are very good L'Oréal concealers, you can name the brand," she replies with a joke, referring to her work-study contract.
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For her, the competition is a little girl's dream that she had already lived very closely alongside her big sister.
“At the time of her election, I was 16 and the Misses, it was an inaccessible world, an enchantment,” she recalls, a smile on her lips.
When I saw that she won Miss France, I told myself that anything was possible in life, especially since we come from a very modest family.
And I took advantage of it, but at the time, I didn't want that at all.
It was my sister's thing, not mine.
And then, I thought about a fundamental question: is it a personal desire or a desire to imitate my big sister, as all little sisters do?
Now I know: I want fun, it's 100% discovery, an extraordinary experience!
"
Before qualifying, pragmatic.
“Sometimes it's difficult.
With the distance, relatives are missing.
At 19, I wouldn't have been able to.
Today, I feel that I can… Even if it is a lot of organization and little sleep!
"