‘NO INK’ RULE FOR MISS WORLD

MBABANE - The upcoming national pageant, Miss Swaziland 2016 continues to draw public attention as the masses have taken to social media once again questioning why girls with tattoos were allowed into the top 10.

 The Miss Swaziland pageant which has a Facebook page has been receiving a number of posts questioning what will happen should the next Miss Swaziland be one of the girls with tattoos, as they will not  be allowed to take part in Miss World or Miss Universe. One of the major positive changes in this year’s pageant was that the winner is guaranteed to compete in the Miss World pageant.

 The matter regarding whether or not the tattooed finalists Keisha Bullock and  Linda Hutchinson will be allowed to continue with the country’s biggest pageant competition with body art was raised by Facebookers. Worth noting is that both of these finalists have participated in modelling shows before, baring their tattoos and therefore their tattoos are public knowledge.

Argue

Although some people would argue that tattoos fall under freedom of expression, as body art serves as another medium in which people can express their emotions, creativity and personal convictions. In a telephonic interview with Gladys Rudd- Smith, she stated that the two contestants will continue with the competition.
“It has come to our attention that the two contestants have body art, however it is not a big issue as both their tattoos are not visible and they can be covered with make-up,” said Rudd-Smith.

The Miss World rules clearly state that as a queen or princess, fair or not, generally it is expected of the winner to take account of their audience and their expectations/ stereotypes and normally as outlined by international pageantry, the stereotype of pageant girls is expected to be perfect and without flaws. It also specifies that she should have no permanent body art or may face disqualification.

These tattoo rules and regulations are however not outlined in the Miss SD framework, which raises the question among the public as to what will happen should a girl with a tattoo win.  According to the Miss World  Pageant rules, any tattoo that is visible when wearing a two piece bikini and have your hair tied up is grounds for disqualification into the pageant.

In 2014, three of 24 Miss South Africa contestants were disqualified for having tattoos as that broke the international long standing rules in pageantry, even after having them covered with make-up.
A tattoo of a crucifix on an Ireland beauty cost her title of being Miss World in 2012 because of the rules of the international pageants that contestants should not have tattoos.

 In 2012,  Miss Swaziland finalist  Faith Kunene was requested by the then Miss Swaziland organisers to remove her tattoos as it was against international pageant rules for a beauty ambassador to have any permanent body  art.

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