In a historic moment for the Miss France pageant, Eve Gilles, a 20-year-old contestant from Nord-pas-de-Calais, has become the first-ever winner in the pageant's 103-year history to flaunt a pixie cut hairstyle. However, her unconventional choice of hairstyle has ignited a wave of international backlash online.

Social media users took to their platforms to express their discontent with Gilles' win, accusing the judges of promoting "wokeness" by selecting someone with an "androgynous" appearance. Despite the criticism, Gilles remained steadfast in her stance, asserting that every woman is unique in her own way.

Acknowledging the controversy, Gilles stated, "We're used to seeing beautiful Misses with long hair, but I chose an androgynous look with short hair. No one should dictate who you are... every woman is different, we're all unique."

Supporting Gilles, a spokesperson for the Miss Universe pageant defended her in a statement to People Magazine. The spokesperson emphasized that there is no singular way to embody the titles of Miss Universe or Miss France, and they celebrate and embrace every possible look.

The spokesperson further highlighted the variety of hairstyles showcased during this year's pageant, citing the previous winner, Sheynnis Palacios, who also had shorter hair. "We saw personal styles and hair of all types - and we love it! Short, long, curly," the statement read.

The determination of the Miss France winner is determined by a combination of public votes and a jury of seven women. Although Gilles ranked third in the public vote, the jury's decision propelled her to first place.

In response to the controversy, Gilles expressed her desire to be a strong role model for women, illustrating that success can be achieved regardless of background or appearance. "I want to make people realize that no matter where you start, no matter what path you take, you can achieve your goals," she commented in an interview with Euronews. "I want to show people that women are diverse, that we're all beautiful, that we're all different and unique. I'm not unique because of my hair, I'm unique because I'm Eve."

This year's Miss France pageant marked the second consecutive year where the competition adopted more inclusive rules, allowing for greater diversity. The removal of age restrictions and the acceptance of contestants who are married, have children, or have visible tattoos are part of the efforts to embrace the evolving societal norms.

While the international online backlash against Eve Gilles continues to brew, her win has become a symbol of breaking beauty stereotypes and highlighting the importance of embracing individuality within the pageant industry. The controversy sparked by Gilles' pixie cut hairstyle certainly adds a unique chapter to the history of Miss France.