Patrizia Mirigliani, the current organizer of Miss Italia, is vocal about her disappointment over the decline of the renowned pageant and her views on its portrayal in the upcoming Netflix docufilm, Miss Italia non deve morire, which will premiere on February 26. The daughter of the late Enzo Mirigliani, who founded the beauty contest, Patrizia hopes to restore Miss Italia's long-held prominence on Italian television.
During her interview with Corriere della Sera, Mirigliani asserted, "Miss Italia deserves to reclaim its place on television. With the right narrative, the competition could thrive again, celebrating not just beauty but also the dreams of young women aspiring to enter the entertainment world." Despite her enthusiasm for the potential of the contest, Mirigliani expressed significant disappointment over the series, noting, "When I watched it, I didn’t sleep all night." She criticized the documentary for being overly harsh, stating, "I didn’t want the reality to be sugar-coated or to become mere celebration; still, they were ruthless. I would have reconsidered my participation had I known this would be the outcome."
Mirigliani particularly condemned derogatory comments made about the contestants, attributing them to outdated perspectives on beauty. She distanced herself sharply from such views, stating, "The unfortunate Gerry, who passed away during filming, belonged to the old school and had outdated ideas about beauty. Naturally, I dissociate from all sexist remarks directed at our girls, which are the product of archaic cultural legacies." She recalled moments from the series where remarks like, "Don't they have mirrors at home?" were shared, highlighting how such attitudes have no place at Miss Italia.
Further, she indicated her frustration with several public figures who she believes contributed to the contest's decline, particularly Laura Boldrini and Anna Maria Tarantola, among others. Mirigliani claimed these personalities have impacted the contest negatively, stating, "They have suffocated Miss Italia." The patron's sentiments echoed through the years as she recounted how Miss Italia once enjoyed widespread popularity, capturing 87% of viewership back when it aired on Rai Uno. She recalled, "At its peak, 13 million people watched the pageant live. It used to be presented by television icons like Fabrizio Frizzi and Mike Bongiorno. It was once celebrated, but now it feels abandoned."
Mirigliani didn't shy away from naming names, openly critiquing former Miss Italia winner Miriam Leone for her perceived ingratitude. Describing Leone as "ungrateful," she lamented, "Miriam has never accepted our invitations to visit us again. Even Sophia Loren returned to see us, and I've said it all..." Patrizia emphasized how she respects Leone's success yet wishes there was recognition of the pageant's role in fostering careers, saying, "We have always provided opportunities for wonderful careers for many women."
Previously, Mirigliani reminisced about the glories of Miss Italia, speaking fondly of how guests like Sylvester Stallone and Andy Garcia graced the stage. "I still cherish moments with legends. Stallone, he made the crowd go wild just by being there, and Andy Garcia, when he complimented me, it felt like I graduated with honors. Those were the days!" she shared.
The conversation turned serious as Mirigliani addressed the direction of Miss Italia deemed by some as outdated. Reflecting on modern societal norms, she claimed, "I think beauty has been demonized by certain strains of feminism and this has made it tough to justify the existence of beauty pageants. Still, Miss Italia is not solely about beauty but also about self-empowerment for many participants, like the brave contestant we crowned Miss Courage back in 1991."
Since the pageant was last broadcast on Rai, there has been considerable speculation about its future on public television. The question of whether Miss Italia could return remains open, and the tension between the pageant's traditional roots and contemporary expectations continues to shape its narrative. "Miss Italia needs to make its way back to television to reclaim what it once represented. For its survival, it needs the right network to give it back to the big audience," Mirigliani passionately remarked.
Addressing the current policies about transgender participants, Mirigliani affirmed her stance, stating, "The regulations say women by birth, and if I don't accept candidates who have undergone aesthetic surgery, the same criterion should apply here.” This aspect of the pageant, she claimed, is adamant about preserving its traditional stance. Online criticism and social media commentary have also sparked conversations about the pageant's relevance, with discussions about female representation and the importance of beauty standards surfacing from both critics and supporters alike.
Despite the surrounding controversies, Mirigliani remains hopeful. She recognizes the renewed attention Miss Italia is receiving, especially with the Netflix documentary, which will expose both its splendor and decline to global viewers. "It is through these platforms, poised on the edge of modernity, we can reintroduce Miss Italia back to the world," she expressed, indicating her intent to champion the pageant's legacy.
Reflecting on the future, Mirigliani remarked, "I’ve endured scrutiny and judgment over the years, but the Miss Italia brand has strength. With the right intentions and support, I believe we can revitalize this pageant. It deserves another chance!"