Miss Universe Canada faces heat after announcing its 'best body' finalists: 'This category is why people have a problem with pageants'

Yahoo

15 hours ago

Some on social media questioned what the category's title meant, wondering if it was judged based on being skinny, muscular or something else.
The Miss Universe Canada organization is facing some heat for a category some are saying shouldn't exist in today's world. Ahead of Saturday night's competition, the official Instagram account for the Canadian beauty pageant shared which top three delegates were finalists in its "best body" category.
"Celebrating the dedication, discipline and confidence it takes to embody true physical excellence! Congratulations to our top three finalists for the 'Best Body' award," the organization wrote in a post featuring three delegates on the stage wearing swimwear. The caption added the category winner would "advance into the top 26" during the final event on Aug. 9.
The three finalists included Malayika Kwizera of Ottawa, Jaime VandenBerg of Lethbridge, Alta., and Valeriia Kalmykova of North York, Ont. However, people on social media weren't too happy to hear that delegates were seemingly being judged on the appearance of their bodies.
"These women are beautiful, however 'best body' should absolutely not be a category in 2025," one person commented, to which another replied saying," Biggg time agree. That title felt very '90s."
"Best body? WTF does that even mean? Skinniest? Strongest? Healthiest? Bone density? This has nothing to do with women empowerment rn," one person added.
"As a former MUC contestant, I have to say this category is why people have a problem with pageants," someone chimed in.
"The fact the top three had the smallest frames is so concerning to me. I understand why Siera Bearchell felt let down and 'plus sized' by the organization," one person penned.
Some people in the comments showed their support for the category and its finalists. "If these girls work hard to get their physique, then absolutely they should be celebrated. It's not an easy thing to achieve," someone shared.
Kalmykova took to her social media account to share her perspective in a video, adding she was happy she was a finalist and understood "it's part of the competition."
"But I want to remind you that the best body is the body you feel the best in," she continued. "The body that helps you to enjoy life. All changes happen from inside out. ... Once you learn how to feel your body, what your body needs, you will get your best body and you will feel confident in it."
VandenBerg was the eventual winner of the entire Canadian pageant. She was crowned in Windsor, Ont., and will compete in the Miss Universe pageant later on Nov. 21 in Thailand against women from around the world.
It's not the first time the Miss Universe Canada pageant has faced backlash regarding a stance that's not entirely body positive. Former Miss Universe Canada Siera Bearchell has been open about being bullied for her weight, especially when she arrived at the Miss Universe pageant in 2017 held in Manila.
She recently recalled how "the world called me fat" at the time, expressing how her excitement over being on the world beauty pageant stage was tainted by hurtful comments from people who'd called her things like "Miss Piggy Universe" and "whale."
"I was labelled the plus-sized contestant," she wrote in an Instagram post on July 28. "People even accused me of gaining weight on purpose to 'stand out.'" At the time, she said she had "minimal support" from the national team.
"I could feel they didn't believe in me, and I started to lose confidence in myself," she added. "Until I remembered that I got to this point because I wasn't afraid to show up as me. I came this far because I knew that beauty and confidence was beyond size. My dream of standing on the Miss Universe stage was achieved because I had more to offer to the world than a number on a scale."
Bearchell eventually placed ninth in the global pageant that year. However, she said she spent the days before the event working to repair her confidence so that she could "stand tall" and "proud" on stage.
"I quite literally coached myself into having the confidence to step on that stage … even when the world was making memes of me that were making fun of me for not being as thin as the other contestants,' she continued.
"I have realized people will doubt you and it's up to you to show up anyways."