Sophie Vouzelaud

Who is Sophie Vouzelaud?

Sophie Vouzelaud was elected first runner-up in the Miss France pageant of 2007. She represented the region of Limousin.

Sophie was born deaf. She is the first deaf or hard of hearing person to take part in the finals of a Miss France pageant. She communicates using French sign language but was adamant in speaking at the finals. She is currently pursuing a bachelor's degree in Accounting.

According to Geneviève de Fontenay, she had a comfortable lead in the French public's votes but in the end, the jury's vote, which counts for 2/3 of the final score, elected another finalist, Rachel Legrain-Trapani, as Miss France 2007. Trapani won by a single vote of the jury.

Vouzelaud requested, with the consent and support of Miss France 2007, Rachel Legrain-Trapani, to represent France at the Miss World pageant to increase awareness and exposure of deaf people but the organizers refused, stating that they only accept the official winner of the country as a competitor.

She competed in Miss International 2007 on October 15 in Japan against another deaf person, Vanessa Peretti from Venezuela. Peretti qualified for the Top 15, but Vouzelaud didn't.