Sophie Vouzelaud

Troyes, France

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About

Sophie Vouzelaud is a French model and beauty pageant titleholder who was elected first runner-up in the 2007 Miss France pageant. She represented the region of Limousin. Vouzelaud was born in Saint-Junien, Haute-Vienne. She was born deaf. She is the first deaf or hard of hearing person to participate in the finals of a Miss France pageant. She communicates with 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, Vouzelaud had a comfortable lead in the French public's votes. Ultimately however, the jury's vote—comprising two-thirds of the final score—elected finalist, Rachel Legrain-Trapani as Miss France 2007 who thus won by a single vote of the jury. Vouzelaud requested—backed by the elected Miss France 2007 Rachel Legrain-Trapani—to represent France at the Miss World pageant to increase awareness and exposure of deaf people. Read more