FASHION Magazine

The last time you filled out a job application, you probably didn’t have to complete a section asking for your height, your weight and a swimsuit photo. But go to the “Become a Contestant” page on the Miss Universe Canada website and there it is, nestled between birthdate and address. It’s astonishing—after years of extended […]

The post Siera Bearchell Recalls Starving Herself for Miss Universe Canada appeared first on FASHION Magazine.

We spoke to model Nova Stevens about the upcoming Miss Universe Canada pageant, racism in modelling, Black Lives Matter and more.

The post My Story: Model Nova Stevens on Beauty Pageants, Activism and More appeared first on FASHION Magazine.

It looks like good things come to those who wait (or fight for their right), as it was confirmed yesterday morning that Miss Universe Canada has had a change of heart regarding its removal of transgender finalist Jenna Talackova from the competition. The pageant announced Monday that Talackova can now compete if she meets Canadian […]

The post Update: Jenna Talackova is back in the Miss Universe Canada competition appeared first on FASHION Magazine.

Miss Universe Canada has disqualified a “real girl” on the grounds of…well…not being a “real girl.” In a circular, confusing and seriously offensive series of events, Miss Universe Canada pulled transgender finalist Jenna Talackova from the competition on the basis that she didn’t meet competition rules.

CTV is reporting that though the application states contestants must be between the ages of 18-27 and Canadian, it says nothing about cosmetic surgery. Not according to Miss Universe Canada’s national director, Denis Davila, who said that the rules state each contestant must be a “naturally born female” and that Talackova lied about that on her registration form.

Though beauty pageants have never been known for their progressive thinking (or even thinking for that matter), this seems especially antiquated; we’re in an age of Andrej Pejic acting as the new Cindy Crawford and Lea T starring in Givenchy campaigns. We will say though, that it’s somewhat heartening to consider how strongly the mainstream media has rallied around Talackova and her cause.