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🇧🇪 Belgium /Culture & Society

Former Miss Belgium Annelien Coorevits Defends Pageant: 'I Would Absolutely Do It Again'

From VRT NWS · () Dutch

Translated from Dutch, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • Former Miss Belgium Annelien Coorevits defends the pageant, stating she would participate again despite criticism from other former contestants.
  • Coorevits acknowledges the demanding nature of the role, including fulfilling less desirable tasks, but emphasizes the invaluable network built.
  • She argues that success requires hard work and leveraging contacts, comparing the experience to 'Temptation Island' where participants know what to expect.

Annelien Coorevits, Miss Belgium 2007 and host of 'Temptation Island,' has defended the Miss Belgium pageant, asserting she would "absolutely do it again" despite recent criticisms from other former contestants regarding working conditions and contracts.

You know what you're getting into.

— Annelien CoorevitsReferring to the demanding nature of the Miss Belgium role.

Coorevits, who won the title in 2007, acknowledged the demanding aspects of being Miss Belgium. "You know what you're getting into," she stated in a podcast, referring to tasks that might be less enjoyable. She highlighted that for someone with a strong personality, the year could be challenging. However, she countered the negative sentiments by emphasizing the "priceless network" gained from the experience, which she leveraged to build her own business after her reign.

I don't agree with what the other ex-candidates are saying.

— Annelien CoorevitsResponding to criticism from other former Miss Belgium contestants.

She stressed that success in the role, and in life, requires proactive effort. "You can work hard and use your contacts, or you can think that everything will be handed to you. That's not how it works. You have to do something for it," Coorevits explained. She recalled a demanding year in 2007, working 365 days straight with at least two assignments daily, contrasting it with the current situation which she believes might be influenced by the times or the participants themselves.

You build an invaluable network.

— Annelien CoorevitsHighlighting the professional benefits of being Miss Belgium.

Coorevits also drew a parallel between the Miss Belgium pageant and 'Temptation Island,' suggesting that participants, like those on the reality show, should be aware of the commitments and potential challenges beforehand. "Miss Belgium is a bit like 'Temptation Island.' If you start it, you know what to expect. Think before you start," she advised. She added that a Miss Belgium must sometimes "be able to keep quiet," nodding, smiling, and occasionally withholding personal opinions, a trait not easy for everyone.

You have to do something for it.

— Annelien CoorevitsEmphasizing the need for hard work and initiative to succeed.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by VRT NWS in Dutch. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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