Beauty Contest for Disabled Women
Miss Ability 2007 Reni de Boer Speaks on Radio Netherlands
The Dutch reality television show, Miss Ability, is a beauty pageant for women with a visible disability. Interview with the second winner, Reni de Boer, in English.
Miss Ability Beauty Contest for Disabled Women
The Netherlands has been the birthplace of some big hits in the reality TV world with shows like the original Big Brother.
In 2006, a show called Miss Ability was a surprise hit. It is a beauty contest for women with visible disabilities.
The first winner, Roos Prommenschenkel, was given the opportunity to address the Dutch Parliament about disability issues. She became the ambassador for disabled people in the Netherlands for a year.
In June 2007, the current winner, Reni de Boer, was crowned, and given the same prizes.
Reni de Boer Does Not Like Beauty Contests
Reni de Boer was interviewed on Radio Netherlands for the English-language program "The State We're In". The episode with the interview was selected as one of the best State We're In programs of 2007 and was re-broadcast on December 28, 2007.
Ms. de Boer was very clear about her reasons for entering Miss Ability. She says she does not like beauty contests. She entered because she realized that winning the contest would be a means to an end. She wants to change the publics' image of people with disabilities.
"Beauty is not a Talent"
One of Reni de Boer's comments is, "Beauty is not a talent." When asked if she would ever enter a "normal" beauty contest, she laughed and said no - because such a contest would be all about beauty. Although used to being complimented on her looks, Ms. de Boer said she has been getting tired of it since becoming Miss Ability 2007.
Gateway to Parliament
The winner of Miss Ability is given the opportunity to address the Dutch Parliament on the issue of disabilities. Both winners to date have done so. Each has also accepted the job of disability ambassador for the Netherlands for their year as Miss Ability.
The Unasked Questions - The Controversial Side of Miss Ability
It seems strange that a television program by a private firm should function as the screening mechanism for Parliament, when there are, no doubt, many existing disability advocates ready, willing and able to do the job. On the other hand, the mass appeal of the Miss Ability show and the power of television do supply great momentum to the cause of disabled people generally.
It would be interesting to know whether the Miss Ability phenomenon has been effective in improving life for people with disabilities in the Netherlands.
The Miss Ability program has been very popular in the Netherlands, where Dutch viewers are able to vote for their favourite contestant. The program's concept has provoked some discussion and controversy in the English-speaking world, if the blogosphere is any indication. While there has been talk of Miss Ability programs being run in the U.K. and the United States of America, so far they have not materialized.
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Photo: (c)Tomo.Yun
