Osmel Sousa is a beauty pageant entrepreneur, guru and the president of the Miss Venezuela Organization, which just added another Miss Universe to their list, the newly crowned María Gabriela Isler. Sousa joined the Venezuelan Committee of Beauty, the former name of the organization, in 1969, but it wasn't until 1981 that be became the head. He has been considered to be the driving force behind the large number of Miss Venezuelas who have gone to become Miss World, Miss Universe, Miss International and Miss Earth, with seven Miss Universe titleholders, six Miss World winners, six Miss International crowns and one win in Miss Earth.
And it comes as no surprise that the New York Times cites Lauren Gulbas, a feminist scholar and anthropologist at Dartmouth College, saying that "Venezuela is known for its oil, and it's known for its beauty." In their article, titled "Mannequins Give Shape to a Venezuelan Fantasy," NYT explains that as beauty queens rose to fame in Venezuela, it helped fuel a fascination with cosmetic surgery and procedures like breast implants, tummy tucks, nose jobs and injections to firm the buttocks. And, according to the publication, Osmel Sousa takes credit for the trend.
The Times wrote that Sousa recommended a nose job for Venezuela's first Miss Universe, which reportedly made her win more than three decades ago. "When there is a defect, I correct it," Mr. Sousa allegedly said. "If it can be easily fixed with surgery, then why not do it?" Sousa is also quoted as saying, "I say that inner beauty doesn't exist. That's something that unpretty women invented to justify themselves." Of course, those words were cause of controversy, since so many women struggle with their physical appearance and put themselves through outrageous regimes to look "decent." Also, it goes against what many experts have been fighting for: a healthy perception of oneself, achieved naturally.
Of course, Sousa released a statement denying he ever said that and that the New York Times twisted his words. "I regret the misunderstanding arising from the interview published recently in the New York Times linking the Miss Venezuela contest with fashion design mannequins. The millions of fans of the Miss Venezuela Organization feel proud that Venezuela has won crowns at the Miss Universe and Miss World pageants and know the criteria that makes a woman the most beautiful in the world, and we have achieved that on many occasions as a result of the efforts and interest in working with the woman as a whole. Our ambassadors' beauty is not only portrayed on the outside, but they are also intelligent, solidary, and socially sensitive. Otherwise, we couldn't achieve a thorough preparation, with a lot of sacrifice and great discipline that allows them to participate in international competitions in different parts of the world."
Sousa ends his statement with the following, "We have built an organization that is an important reference for our country and the world about the beauty, talent and ability of Venezuelan women. Evidence of this is the career path undertaken by our candidates after their participation in beauty pageants. Venezuela is a leader and an example of this, and our image is valued on all continents thanks to our organization." So what do you think? Did Sousa really say that inner beauty doesn't exist and it was invented by "ugly women"? Take our poll below and let us know!
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