Get ready to be dazzled by the stunning contestants from various nations as they descend upon India to compete in one of the most iconic beauty contests, Miss World 2023.
During a press conference in Delhi, Julia Morley, chairperson and CEO of the Miss World Organization, said that India had been awarded to host the 71st beauty pageant in recognition of the nation's abundant cultural heritage, diversity, and enthusiastic effort towards women's empowerment.
“I have had a great affection for India from the first moment I visited this incredible country more than 30 years ago! We cannot wait to share your unique and diverse culture, world-class attractions, and breathtaking locations with the rest of the world," Morley said.
Sputnik brings a low-down on the legacy of the Miss World beauty pageant, which was a stepping stone for several big Indian actresses such as Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Priyanka Chopra Jonas.
Inception of Miss World in 1951
The Miss World beauty pageant, which was started in 1951, was originally named as "Festival Bikini Contest."
Eric Morley, a British businessman and TV presenter, started the beauty contest to promote swimwear and clothing at his family's store in the UK.
When Kerstin 'Kiki' Hakansson from Sweden was crowned in a bikini, that didn't go down well with a part of society and sparked controversy.
However, the beauty competition became a hit across countries that joined hands to participate in it. In 1960, Morley decided to make it an annual affair and registered the "Miss World" name as a trademark.
Miss World spread its wings to over 30 countries, and since then there was no looking back. T1961 marked the debut of Miss Lebanon, the first contestant from the Middle East region, and in 1965, Miss Jamaica made history as the first black woman to be crowned Miss World.
In the following decades, Miss World has transformed from being a mere beauty contest to a powerful platform that alleged to highlight the contestants' talents, personalities, and public speaking prowess, while also empowering them to bring about positive change in society.
The event became one of the most-watched and anticipated television shows worldwide.
India to Host Miss World for the Second Time
After a hiatus of 27 years, Miss World is back to India once again since it was last held in 1996.
1996 turned out to be special as young model Aishwarya Rai Bachchan was crowned Miss World at the age of 21, making her the second Indian to win the title. The first was Reita Faria who made history as she was the first Asian woman to win Miss World Title in 1966.
While Faria went on to become a doctor and settled down with her doctor-husband David Powell in Dublin in 1971, Rai Bachchan turned out to be a Bollywood superstar who is married to actor Abhishek Bachchan, the son of legendary actor Amitabh Bachchan.
At the age of 24, Diana Hayden made history by becoming the third Indian to win the coveted beauty pageant title in 1997. Following her success, actress Yukta Mookhey later became the fourth Indian to win in 1999.
In 2000, Indian-American actress Priyanka Chopra Jonas, wife of singer-actor Nick Jonas, became Miss World at just 18, and she went on to hog the limelight with her remarkable work in Bollywood and Hollywood.
The latest Miss World from India was Manushi Chhillar, who was crowned in 2017, and since then her acting career in Bollywood took off in full swing.
The beauty pageant was a massive success in India, with over 1.5 billion people tuning in to watch the final event every year.
India became the second-highest number in winning the Miss World title, the first being Venezuela which has bagged the beauty pageant title seven times.
What to Watch Out For?
Miss World 2023 will have contestants coming from over 130 countries.
The Femina Miss India winner 2023, Sini Shetty will be competing with other country’s beauty queens.
While the date and venue are still kept under wraps, the competition is only going to get tough this time.
Contestants will face a variety of contests, such as a fashion show, talent exhibitions, debates, athletic challenges, charitable activities, and many additional trials.
Over the course of a month, multiple rounds will take place to select participants for the grand finale, set to take place in November or December of this year.
The forthcoming pageant will provide an opportunity for the country to showcase its diverse culture, cordial hospitality, and thriving tourism sector to the world.
Moreover, it is expected to create employment opportunities for the locals while giving a significant boost to the overall economy.