Miss Philippines was crowned Miss World 2013 on Saturday at a tightly guarded ceremony in Bali, Indonesia, after the contest was plagued by protests from Muslim hardliners and fears that extremist groups could try to disrupt the event. U.S.-born Megan Young, a 23-year-old studying digital film, accepted the crown from last year's winner, Wenxia Yu of China, and promised to "be the best Miss World ever".
Thousands of members of the radical Islam Defenders Front took to the streets over the past month to protest holding the pageant in Indonesia, the world's most populous Muslim country, calling it "pornography". The protests forced organizers to move the event from a venue outside Jakarta to Nusa Dua in southern Bali, a predominantly Hindu resort island.
Event organizers announced in June that contestants would eschew bikinis this year in favor of sarongs and one-piece swimwear to avoid causing offence. The embassies of the United States, Britain and Australia issued travel warnings for Indonesia, saying extremist groups could be planning violence to disrupt the pageant.
However, Indonesian police said there were no reports of unrest surrounding the contest on Saturday. The new Miss World will spend the next year travelling to represent the Miss World Organization and help raise money for its charitable causes. Marine Lorphelin, a 20-year-old medical student from France, took second place. From Ghana, Carranzar Naa Okailey Shooter, 23, also a medical student, came third.
Overview of Miss world 2013:
Megan Young beat five other finalists, including France and Brazil, to win the coveted title in a contest broadcast to more than 180 countries worldwide. She thanked the judges for choosing her and promised to "be the best Miss World ever". The 23-year-old pledged to "just be myself in everything I do, to share what I know and to educate people".
The contestants were asked 'Why they deserve to win the Miss World 2013 title' and here's what they said:
France: Miss World is a pretigious title. It's a chance to meet people around the world and help them. Also because i'm generous.
Ghana: I believe Miss World is a woman of substance.
Brazil: Beauty opens doors, but 'Beauty with a Purpose' opens hearts and minds.
Spain: I want to be the Miss World for all the right reasons. Beauty from within and kindness changes lives.
Gibraltar: I will work hard and with passion to make peoples' lives more easier and happier.
'Top 5' Peoples' Choice finalists:
1st place France, 2nd place Philippines , 3rd place Ghana, 4th place Brazil, 5th place Spain.
The Winner of Peoples' Choice is, Miss Gibraltar, Maroua Kharbouch. The winner of 'Beauty With A Purpose' of 2013 is Miss Nepal, Ishani Shrestha.
The Top 10 contestants to enter the Semi-Finals are:
10th place is Ghana, 9th place Jamaica, 8th place Spain, 7th place Indonesia, 6th place England, 5th place Nepal, 4th place France, 3rd place Australia, 2nd place Brazil, 1st place Philippines. Miss India World Navneet Kaur Dhillon failed to make it to the 'Top 10' of Miss World 2013 pageant
The 21-year-old Indian beauty walked away with the title of 'Miss Multimedia', an award for managing the web section of the Miss World in the best possible way through status updates, photos and videos, after beating Miss Thailand Kanyaphak Phokesomboon and Miss Nepal Ishani Shrestha. Navneet's page has so far got 1, 21,725 likes, which was achieved with status updates, interactive photo posts and stunning cover pictures.
Navneet was being touted as one of the probable winners and expected to bring back the title home after a gap of more than a decade. To cheer things up, Blue, is back onstage to perform their chartbuster 'One Love'. It's performance time! The contestants perform to a medley of music from around the world.
Judging the best from a bevy of beauties is a herculean task. The Miss World panel of judges include the likes of Liliana Tanoesoedibjo (chairwoman of Miss Indonesia Organization), Coretta Kapoyos Bayuseno (chairwoman of Jakarta Police Wives Organization), and Julia Morley (chairwoman of Miss World Organization).
The Miss World 2013 Grand Final kickstarted with the British boyband 'Blue' performing their hit number 'Break My Heart'.
A brief round of introductions was followed by a breathtaking Balinese performance.
The contests finally take the centre stage in their colourful evening gowns.
In an 'oops moment', Miss India contestant was about to trip on her gown.
Poised and confident, the contestants, sang the 'Indonesia Raya' - National Anthem of Indonesia.
This year's pageant is being presented by Jennifer Reoch ( a 2011 Miss World contestant) and Kamal Ibrahim.
A glittering final to the Miss World pageant unfolds on the Indonesian island of Bali under heavy security after weeks of hardline Muslim protests and warnings the beauty contest could be attacked. The 2012 Miss World Yu Wenxia from China passes on her crown to one lucky lady of 127 contestants in the 63rd Miss World Grand Final on the resort island of Bali. Today's final will see the contestants' parade in Indonesian-designed dresses and feature a series of musical performances.
The finalists will face a question and answer round from a panel of judges before a winner is crowned. Chandigarh girl Navneet Kaur Dhillon who is representing India has already made a splash at the pageant by winning the 'Miss Multimedia Award'.
Click here to see Image gallery of Megan Young
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