Miss Provence Julie Zitouni Apologizes Amidst Controversy After Miss France 2026 Elimination

After the crowning of Hinaupoko Devèze as Miss France 2026, Julie Zitouni, Miss Provence, became the center of a controversy following a viral video where she and Miss Aquitaine, Aïnhoa Lahitete, made disparaging remarks about fellow finalists. Lahitete openly questioned the legitimacy of the Top 12 selection, saying, "What is this Top 12, please?" while Zitouni used vulgar language to insult other candidates. The backlash was immediate and severe, compelling Zitouni to issue a public apology on Instagram. She stated her words were misunderstood and intended as light-hearted, colloquial remarks to refer to "the lucky ones." Zitouni emphasized her affection for most of the finalists, noting the friendships she had forged during the competition.

Zitouni also revealed she withdrew from the competition early, driven by personal struggles, including dealing with her father's Alzheimer's and feelings of illegitimacy among contestants. She expressed regret over the video’s unauthorized release and the resulting online harassment, reporting receiving approximately 30,000 negative messages. Despite the turmoil, Zitouni congratulated Devèze on her win, praising her as a worthy and strong representative of France.

The incident highlights the intense scrutiny faced by contestants and the impact of social media on public perception. Zitouni’s candid reflections and apology mark an effort to address the controversy and the emotional toll experienced following her elimination.