Miss Cable Beach 2026 winner crowned in Broome, Australia
In Broome, in northwestern Australia, 31-year-old Francisca Henriquez won the Miss Cable Beach 2026 pageant. Henriquez, who is originally from Chile, has lived in Broome for four years. She said that she is usually shy, but the support of friends in the audience helped her confidently take to the stage.
As ABC News Australia reports, the Miss Cable Beach pageant has been held for more than three decades. It was first held in 1991 at the Divers Tavern pub and continues to attract numerous contestants and spectators.
Changes to the pageant format
Divers Tavern events coordinator Saoirse Mealy said that the pageant has changed since its founding. Contestants have more opportunities to demonstrate their character and style: more questions and resort-wear catwalks have been added to the program.
According to Mealy, the event is not only about appearance or appearing in a bikini, and women of different body types can take to the stage. She also noted that many contestants become more self-confident after taking part.
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Prize money and debate over the format
Henriquez entered the pageant for the first time last year, hoping to spend the $10,000 in prize money on a plane ticket for her mother to Broome. She plans to use this year's prize money for her next visa application, as she wants to remain in the city.
The winner said that the pageant was an experience that allowed her to feel proud of herself and her body. Alongside the women's final, Broome also holds the Mr Cable Beach pageant for men.
Ivanka Prichard, a professor of body image and health at Flinders University, gave a mixed assessment of such events. She cautioned that displaying bodies can contribute to the objectification of women and worsen their self-perception. At the same time, in her view, the pageant can have a positive effect if there are different participation options and it is organized carefully.
