Becoming Miss France does not guarantee a life of luxury, and Vaimalama Chaves has recently proven this to be true. The former beauty queen, who revealed her traumatic experience as a victim of incest at the age of five , has now shared more disturbing details about her chaotic life post-reign.
To recap, the Tahitian’s life took a dramatic turn on December 15, 2018 , when she was crowned Miss France by Maëva Coucke at the Zénith of Lille . While her reign was filled with glamour and opportunities, she stated that her life after the crown has been nothing short of a challenge, as she revealed during an interview with Thomas Isle .
Vaimalama Chaves “Sans Domicile Fixe” Après Avoir Laissé Son Appartement à Clémence Botino
On May 30, 2025 , Vaimalama Chaves was featured on the show “Culture Médias” . During this appearance, the former beauty queen discussed her year as Miss France but also promoted her new book, “O VAI,” released by First Publishing on May 15, 2025 . Isle quoted an excerpt from her book in which she talks about her official residence while holding the title of Miss France, an apartment located in the 17th district of Paris .
Isle remarked, “You mention that during your reign as Miss, you are provided with a temporary accommodation, but when the new Miss arrives, you are kindly asked to vacate the apartment. You end up feeling like, ‘I am homeless‘.” Vaimalama responded candidly: “Once that phase ends, I have to fend for myself.” Clearly, transitioning to life after the crown proved to be a significant hurdle for her.
Finding stable housing turned out to be quite a struggle. She expressed, “Especially when you haven’t planned ahead or built a bank account in France. To create a bank account here, you need a postal address. And to have a postal address, you need a residence, so it became a bit complicated.”
Un Appartement Retrouvé Grâce à une Attestation d’Hébergement
Fortunately, Miss France 2019 managed to stay with a friend while searching for a place of her own. It was ultimately an attestation d’hébergement that helped her out of this predicament. This document allowed her to open a bank account in France, lifting some of the burdens she faced.
Reflecting on the moment she found her new apartment, she said, “My new apartment was amazing. After spending a month vagabonding and crashing on couches, when I found it, I thought, ‘Okay, this is it.’ When we shut the door after signing the lease, I lay down on the floor and curled up.” Despite the challenges, she was determined not to return to Tahiti .
The reason behind this resolute decision was the numerous professional and personal opportunities available in France. She stated, “There are so many dreams I can pursue here that aren’t necessarily accessible in Polynesia .” Her ambition to stay close to her dreams provided her the strength to navigate the complexities of life after the crown.
As Vaimalama Chaves continues to adjust and find her place in the world, her story serves as a reminder that the glamour often associated with beauty pageants does not shield contestants from the realities of life. Indeed, breaking into the outside world requires not just beauty, but also resilience and resourcefulness.
She balances her challenges with newfound pursuits, aiming to inspire other women who find themselves in similar situations. Vaimalama Chaves demonstrates that the road to self-sufficiency can be fraught with obstacles, yet it can also lead to personal growth and achievement.
Her journey from Miss France to navigating a challenging reality underscores the importance of emotional strength, community support, and the courage to dream. As she continues to share her story, it becomes evident that empowerment is as essential as the title itself, and her journey is a testament to that strength.