October 16, 2024, 2:40 pm | Read time: 4 minutes
After her triumph at the Miss Turkey competition, the newly crowned beauty queen İdil Bilgen is under fire. But the 24-year-old doctor and winner is resolutely defending herself against the accusations and is campaigning for a new understanding of beauty.
Immediately after İdil Bilgen was awarded the title, she faced a barrage of hostility online. Critics challenged her suitability as Miss Turkey, labeling her as ‘not pretty enough.’ However, these comments were not limited to the internet. Turkish celebrities also expressed doubts about her election. In particularly harsh attacks, some accused her of winning solely due to her father’s influence as a Turkish diplomat.
Overview
“Miss Photoshop” and nasty comparisons on Instagram
Despite her victory, Bilgen received more than just congratulations on Instagram. On the contrary – the official Instagram page of “Miss Turkey” quickly filled up with insults and malice. A recurring accusation was that she had unfairly secured her victory through her father’s influence; he is the Turkish ambassador in Kyiv. Comments such as “Congratulations to your father who got you the victory” or “This election is nothing but nepotism” mocked her supposed advantages.
Other followers critiqued her appearance, with some even drawing comparisons to a male character from the Turkish film ‘Şabaniye.’ It is particularly common to read that her beauty is considered “not enough” for the title. “Is this the most beautiful in Turkey now?” or “The jury urgently needs to see an eye doctor” were some of the comments. Other users accused her of embellishing her appearance through excessive use of Photoshop and called her “Miss Faceapp” – a clear allusion to digital image editing. One user even wrote: “Why so much Photoshop? That’s not even İdil anymore, it’s someone else.”
Indeed, the latter claim holds some truth; the latest post did, unfortunately, bear a strong resemblance to Photoshop, an enhancement İdil certainly doesn’t require.
Miss Turkey: “Beauty is more than looks”
However, İdil Bilgen is not impressed by the negative voices. In a TV program, she responded to the criticism and made it clear that beauty means much more to her than just outward appearance. “I’m not just a doctor. I’m also a proud Turkish woman who wants to be the voice of all women at Miss World,” she explained confidently. She emphasized that competitions like Miss Turkey are not just about looks but also about intelligence, character, and commitment. The model has deactivated her comments on Instagram herself, presumably for self-protection.
A remarkable woman
Standing at 1.80 meters, the doctor surpassed 19 other finalists, impressing the jury not just with her looks but, most importantly, with her speech. In it, she called for a differentiated understanding of beauty that is not based on superficial standards. İdil Bilgen will now represent Turkey at the international Miss World competition. She sees this platform as an opportunity to advocate greater acceptance and tolerance of different beauty ideals.
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Ambassador for more diversity?
İdil Bilgen is calling for a change in the perception of beauty – both in Turkey and internationally. “Our society too often has an outdated image of beauty that only depicts a few women. But real beauty comes from within, from the way we think, act and live,” she explained in an interview. Particularly in an era where women globally face unrealistic beauty standards, she aspires to be a positive role model.
Miss Turkey wants a modern understanding of beauty
The case of İdil Bilgen shows that beauty contests are changing. Miss Turkey 2024 symbolizes a new era of women who are recognized not solely for their appearance but for their personality, intellect, and aspirations. Critics who continue to insist on superficial standards have no place in this change. İdil Bilgen remains steadfast: “I stand by my title and am proud to represent my country – not just as a beauty queen, but as a woman who stands up for all women.”
Whether it will significantly change the image of women in Turkey and the patriarchal conditions remains questionable. However, it is certainly a step in the right direction.