 Vouzelaud requested -- backed by the elected Miss France 2007 Rachel Legrain-Trapani -- to represent France at the Miss World pageant to increase awareness and exposure of deaf people.The organizers refused, stating that they only accept the official winner of the country as a competitor.Vouzelaud then went on to compete in Miss International 2007 on October 15 of that year in Japan against another deaf person, Vanessa Peretti from Venezuela.