Mission Austria boss

Kerstin Rigger: “There must be Miss Austria elections!”

Miss and Mister Austria will be crowned this year as part of Vienna Fashion Week on September 11. In this picture, 2023 Mission Austria boss Kerstin Rigger (center) celebrates with the winners Alexander Höfler and Valentina Bleckenwegner.(Bild: Kristian Bissuti)

This year, the Miss Austria contest will be held for the first time as part of Vienna Fashion Week. The "Krone" spoke to Mission Austria boss Kerstin Rigger, who criticizes the flood of Miss Austria titles, but at the same time stands by her elections and wants to make any investments in Austria instead of abroad.

So now it's official: the election for Austria's most beautiful woman and man will take place on September 11 as part of Vienna Fashion Week. "I was already a sponsor there last year and thought why not use the big stage for our ladies and gentlemen as well," Mission Austria boss Kerstin Rigger tells the "Krone".

(Too) many Miss titles
She has transformed the classic Miss Miss election into a genuine shaping of personalities. "I want to stick to that. Of course, it's not easy because there are now so many pageants - although I do have the real license for it. But any plastic ribbons don't do anyone any good. They are worthless," she continues. She will also not be sending any more Misses or Misters abroad to international competitions for the foreseeable future. "No, I actually prefer to invest the money here in our own country. Transparency is particularly important to me, and I felt that was lacking in the last elections we sent participants to."

Does this mean that Kerstin Rigger believes the concept of the Misses elections has had its day? She says very clearly: "No, not at all. They just have to adapt to the times!"