‘Miss World is outdated’, says Sofia Hayat as Manushi Chhillar wins title

While India is celebrating Manushi Chillar's Miss World victory, some people are asking a crucial question- ‘Why do beauty pageants still exist?’ Read on:

By: Fukres |
November 27, 2017 6:59 pm

While the country has been going gaga over Manushi Chhillar winning the Miss World crown 17 long after Priyanka Chopra won it, there are some who aren’t as jubilant and ecstatic as the others. Many are still confused about why beauty pageants still exist:

It’s 2017 WHY ARE THERE STILL BEAUTY PAGEANTS ARRRGHHH oh wait no, they have a qna round sorry my bad it’s all about smarts what was I thinking

— Anuya Jakatdar (@anuyeaah) November 18, 2017

one winner was disqualified for being married. Ek toh why is marital status a thing in this. :/

— PeeTee (@peeteeonyou) November 18, 2017

Why beauty pageants started in 1st place?

— Padmaja Kulkarni (@Padmaj_ku) November 19, 2017

Finally! I’m sick of all the congratulations like it’s the frekkin Olympics

— yolande (@yolandewrites) November 19, 2017

Normal sized people not allowed in pageants. Nice. Thanks.

— Raashi Mudholkar (@raashimudholkar) November 19, 2017

Also read: 17 years after Priyanka Chopra won the title, India’s Manushi Chillar crowned Miss World 2017

Not to dismiss anyone’s achievements or efforts, but the questions raise a valid point- why, in 2017, are we still being sold an idea of ‘perfect beauty’ which is restricted to being tall, thin, beautiful, never married, and one’s ability to carry off a swimsuit. Why are the contestants judged on their looks, bodies and conduct as if they are objects? Why are we still celebrating such a pre-historic, regressive platform?

Among many who were baffled is fomer actress Sofia Hayat, who lashed out at the beauty pageant in a series of Instagram posts where she talked about how the media is selling us prehistoric ideals of beauty and how these pageants have nothing to do with woman empowerment or upliftment:

A post shared by Sofia Hayat (@sofiahayat) on Nov 19, 2017 at 5:18am PST

Miss or Mrs Worlds! They come in all sorts of shapes and sizes!

A post shared by Sofia Hayat (@sofiahayat) on Nov 19, 2017 at 5:55am PST

ALSO READ: Manushi Chhillar has the most chilled out retort to Shashi Tharoor’s controversial tweet on her

Boycott anything that puts an “ideal” on you and the children of this Earth. You are not here to be judged. You are more than physical beings..and yet all of your physical is incredible.

A post shared by Sofia Hayat (@sofiahayat) on Nov 19, 2017 at 12:36pm PST

What do you think? Is there more to the pageant than meets the eye or do you agree that these beauty pageants are regressive and should be more inclusive? Tell us in the comments below!