Ruth Akim

**Ruth Akim** (Adaric: *ሩት አኪም*; born 28 January 1992) is a Maronan television personality, model, and beauty pageant titleholder who was crowned Miss Marone 2017. Akim had previously been crowned Miss Pitaine 2016 and Miss Chadiot-Chabrac 2016, becoming the tenth woman from Pitaine to be crowned Miss Marone. Akim represented Marone at Miss Parth 2018, where she placed in the Top 20.

Following her victory at Miss Marone, Akim became the first Tarfica-born naturalized citizen to win the title, leading to widespread online commentary regarding her race and identity deemed to be racist and xenophobic by the Maronan media. She later began a career as a television personality, serving as a recurring guest panelist on *Je regarde la télé !* (2019–present).

## Early life and education

Akim was born on 28 January 1992 in Miji Gaji to Adar parents Akim Azim (born 1950) and Yohanna Afewerek (born 1964). She was raised in a well-educated, upper-middle class family, with her father working as a physicist and professor of physics at Miji Gaji University and her mother being a fashion designer and former model who owned and operated a chain of boutiques in Nubithia. Akim is the youngest of three daughters; her elder sisters include Yesem (born 1989) and Hawa (born 1990).

When Akim was five years old in 1997, her father was hired as a professor of physics at ES Valenême, a *grande école*, and the family relocated to Valenême in Marone. Akim was enrolled in private, Eurean Catholic schooling, where she began speaking the Maronan language fluently. Akim completed primary school in 2004, and later completed *collège* as well in 2007. She later enrolled in Lycée Julien Bachelet in Valenême to study a *lycée académique* program in economics and social sciences, graduating with honors in 2010. She later enrolled in a CPGE course at Lycée Julien Bachelet, studying business, which she completed in 2012. Afterwards, Akim enrolled in ESC Valenême, receiving a bachelor's degree in marketing in 2013, and a master's degree in 2015. Prior to becoming Miss Marone, Akim worked as a public relations associate at a public relations firm in Delmas.

## Pageantry

### Miss Pitaine 2016

Akim began her pageantry career in 2015, after registering to compete in Miss Chadiot-Chabrac 2015. The pageant was held in May 2015, with Akim going on to place as the first runner-up, qualifying her for Miss Pitaine 2015. Miss Pitaine was later held in September 2015, where Akim once again placed as the first runner-up.

Akim returned to pageantry the year afterwards, registering for Miss Chadiot-Chabrac 2016. This time, she went on to win the title in May 2016, once again qualifying for Miss Pitaine. Miss Pitaine 2016 was held in September 2016, where Akim advanced into the top five and was crowned the winner. As Miss Pitaine, Akim was qualified for Miss Marone 2017.

### Miss Marone 2017

Miss Marone was held on 17 December 2016 in Carcatou. In the competition, Akim advanced from the initial pool of 30 contestants into the top twelve, and later entered the top five as well. After reaching the top five, Akim was declared the winner, being crowned by outgoing titleholder Paloma Saint-Pierre of Puyane, becoming the tenth woman representing Pitaine to win the title and the first Tarfica-born naturalized citizen to win. She additionally scored the highest on the General Knowledge Exam, with a score of 17.5.

In the aftermath of her win, Akim was subjected to an onslaught of comments and messages online through Twitter and Instagram deemed to be racist and xenophobic in nature, commenting on her identity and race as an immigrant of Tarfican origin, particularly in juxtaposition to Emmanuelle Paro of Côte Turquoise, who placed as the first runner-up. Many of the comments stated that Akim should not have been allowed to compete, alleging that she is not Maronan and that Paro was the deserving winner. The onslaught became the subject of international news, with the Miss Marone Committee defending Akim. Élisabeth Desjardins stated "there are no requirements that a titleholder be of Maronan birth or heritage, solely that she hold Maronan citizenship, which [Akim] does," additionally condemning the treatment Akim had received and commenting how there have been past titleholders of immigrant origin that did not receive this treatment. Paro also defended Akim, denouncing the comments against Akim and how she herself should have been the winner. A criminal complaint was filed against 12 netizens for racist and xenophobic attacks against Akim through their Twitter accounts, with all 12 being identified as supporters of the Nationalist Movement. All 12 were convicted of inciting racial hatred and aggravated insult, and subject to fines.

As Miss Marone, Akim received tens of thousands of dollars worth of prizes and gifts on behalf of sponsors, and relocated to Delmas in order to fulfill her reign. As Miss Marone, Akim appeared as a contestant on the television series *Fort Malet*, worked as a model in various cities, and cohosted a weekly radio show on TM Radio. Akim represented Marone at Miss Parth 2018 in December 2018, and placed in the Top 20.

## Post-pageantry

In 2019, Akim was cast in season 15 of *Danse avec les stars*, the Maronan version of *Dancing with the Stars*. She was partnered with professional dancer Noël Breguet, and went on to place third in the competition. Later that year, Akim joined the entertainment talk show *Je regarde la télé !* as a guest panelist.

## Personal life

Akim has resided in Delmas since 2015. She holds dual citizenship to Marone and Nubithia, having naturalized as a Maronan citizen along with her family in 2006, aged 14. Akim's native language is Adaric, while she is additionally fluent in Maronan and Ditrovian. Akim identifies as a Nubithian Orthodox Christian.