Safiétou Kabengele
Safiétou Kabengele is a French-Senegalese model, export coordinator, and beauty queen who was crowned Miss Grand France 2024. She represented France at the Miss Grand International 2024 pageant in Bangkok, Thailand, where she placed as third runner-up. She later resigned the title.
Early life and career
Kabengele was born in Dakar, Senegal, and raised in Normandy, France, from infancy. She has Senegalese and Congolese heritage.From a young age, she was passionate about various forms of expression, including fashion, dance, and public speaking. Initially lacking self-confidence, it was her family and loved ones who recognized her potential and encouraged her to pursue pageantry. Prior to her involvement in pageantry, she worked as an export coordinator in the pharmaceutical industry.
Pageantry
Early pageant experience
Kabengele's pageant journey began with the Miss Normandie competition for Miss France, where she placed as second runner-up in 2021 and first runner-up in 2022. After two attempts, she decided to compete in Miss Grand France, marking her third major pageant endeavor.Miss Grand France 2024
On 8 May 2024, Kabengele represented Normandy at the France 2024 pageant held at the Théâtre de Longjumeau in Paris. She emerged victorious among 17 contestants, earning the title of Miss Grand France 2024.Miss Grand International 2024
Following her national win, Kabengele represented France at the Miss Grand International 2024 pageant in Bangkok, Thailand. She achieved the position of third runner-up.During the swimsuit round of the semi final of the competition, she stood out by removing a wig and daringly showing her bald head.
Following the competition, Kabengele spoke out about an incident between her and the reigning queen at the time, Rachel Gupta of India.
On 5th June 2025, Kabengele resigned from her title as the third runner up after citing personal attacks and lack of defense or clarification regarding her title from the organisation.