Miss Maroc Explained

Miss Universe Morocco Organization
Type:Beauty pageant
Headquarters:Casablanca
Location:Morocco
Membership:Miss Universe
Miss World
Language:French
Leader Title:National director
Leader Name:Saad Bennani

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.

History

The 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

The 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

YearMiss Maroc
1953Colette Ribes
1956Lydia Marin
1957Jacqueline Dorella Bonilla
1958Jocelyne Lambin
1959Raymonde Valle
1960Marilyne Escobar
1961Irene Gorsse
1962Ginette Buenaventes
1963Selma Rahal
1964Leila Gourmala
1965Lucette Garcia
1966Joelle Lesage
1967Naïma Benjelloun
1968Zakia Chamouch
1969Rahima Hachti
1975Salhi Badia
1978Majida Tazi
2002Doja Lahlou
2006Iman Albani
2012Sarah Mouatamid
2015Fatima Ezzahra El-Horre
2016Sara Belkiz[2]
2018Rania Aaït[3]
2021Fatima-Zahra Khayat

Titleholders under Miss Maroc org.

Miss Universe Morocco

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.

YearRegionMiss MarocPlacement at Miss UniverseSpecial AwardsNotes
2024colspan=5
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2021Marrakesh-SafiKawtar BenhalimaUnplacedSaad 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.
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2012Casablanca-SettatSarah MouatamidNight Star Maroc directorship; Withdrew — Due to franchise matter, Sarah withdrew at Miss Universe 2012.
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1978Rabat-Salé-KénitraMajida TaziUnplaced
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1975Rabat-Salé-KénitraSalhi BadiaUnplaced
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1966Rabat-Salé-KénitraJoelle LesageUnplaced
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1963Rabat-Salé-KénitraSelma RahalUnplaced
1962Rabat-Salé-KénitraGinette BuenaventesUnplaced
1961Rabat-Salé-KénitraIrene GorsseUnplaced
1960Rabat-Salé-KénitraMarilyne EscobarUnplaced
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1957CasablancaJacqueline Dorella BonillaTop 15
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1953CasablancaColette RibesMiss Maroc Organization directorship.

Notes and References

  1. Web site: October 24, 2021 . Miss Universe Morocco . October 24, 2021 . www.missuniversemorocco.com . fr.
  2. https://indianandworldpageant.com/2016/05/25/sara-belkiz-crowned-miss-morocco-2016/ Miss Morocco 2016
  3. https://www.moroccoworldnews.com/2018/05/246353/rania-aait-crowned-miss-morocco-2018/ Miss Morocco 2018