Chayenne Van Aarle, you became Miss Belgium 2022 on Saturday evening, during the ceremony in La Panne. Do you realize?
I don’t believe it yet. I feel like Chayenne Van Aarle but I don’t feel like Miss Belgium yet because I’m used to always being myself. Before the ceremony, we prepared with the girls for a week for the show. We were all super tired on the podium. Now that I am somewhat rested, tears flow when I think of my coronation.
Did you expect it?
No, I thought it was too good to be true. There are many candidates with a beautiful personality in the adventure. It is no longer the beauty that counts but the important thing is that the young woman has a story to tell.
As Miss Belgium, what are your days like?
Since my coronation, I haven’t had time to call anyone. The interviews on television, on the radio… follow one another.
For several months, the 30 finalists prepare for the election. How was the atmosphere between you?
I think that for several years there was a lot of jealousy. But nowadays, the girls have become strong and much more “woman power”. And it felt behind the scenes. There was no clash, no low blow… not a broken dress!
Have you bonded with a particular miss?
Yes with Juliette Franssen, originally from the Province of Liège. This moves me, I’m super happy because even following the election, our friendship is still present. I was told that following Miss Belgium, the girls would be jealous of the winner but I don’t feel it.
You mentioned your childhood in a caravan and then in a castle…
Yes my dad started from nothing. We were gypsies when I was little and we lived in a caravan. Then he decided to adopt animals from the circus. He bought a park near Grammont in Flanders and we lived in a castle. Moreover, as Miss Belgium, I would like to help abandoned animals.
Since your election, on social networks, many comments declare that you are rather “Miss Vlandereen” rather than Miss Belgium, because for the 9th year in a row, it is a Fleming who wins the election. How do you respond to that?
There is an image of me that is not correct. I’m originally French, from Marseille, but I’ve always lived in Wallonia. I also lived in Flanders with my dad who is Dutch. I became Miss Antwerp because my home was there. I had to move to this city because it was easier to go to my job as a flight attendant. But I feel more Walloon than Flemish!
Dozens of comments are posted regarding you, both negative and positive… Do you read them?
No, I don’t read them. The former Miss Belgium, Kedist Deltour told me not to read the comments because every year there are negatives. And people prefer to say the negative than the positive, but the positive will come later when the Belgians know their miss.
The criteria for becoming Miss have evolved over time. It’s not enough to just be beautiful…
They don’t just look at the physical. We are in a world where we must also look at personality.
Surgery and tattoos are allowed, were Misses redone this year?
I don’t think any girls have had surgery this year.
Many Internet users think that you had surgery, is it true?
I haven’t read the reactions yet but I find it a shame that people think that of me. You can come and touch my face! I can understand that at the time of my coronation people might think that because my face was swollen from fatigue and stress. But now that the stress has gone down, my face is much thinner. I didn’t do surgery!
One last question for the road… Are you willing to take Chayenne?
I am in love with myself. No boyfriend in sight. I have to think regarding my career first and then the love of my life will come…