Written by Oscar Holland, CNN
Karolina Beliavska of Poland was crowned 70th Miss World on Wednesday, and contestants and organizers expressed their solidarity with the Ukrainians as they lit candles on stage in the televised final. Belyavskaya, who works as a model and is studying for a master’s degree, claimed the title in Puerto Rico’s capital, San Juan, three months after the pageant was postponed due to the Covid-19 outbreak. Miss USA Shree Signy came first and Olivia Yase from Ivory Coast came in second.
In addition to the usual performances and live judging, the flashy ceremony featured messages of support for Ukraine following Russia’s unprovoked invasion of the country that borders Poland. In one segment, Toni-Anne Singh of Jamaica, who won Miss World 2019, sang a rendition of Celine Dion and Andrea Bocelli’s “The Prayer” as everyone on stage and in the audience held candles.
Miss World 2019 Toni-Anne Singh sings “The Prayer” during the 70th Miss World Pageant at the Coca-Cola Music Hall in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Credit: Ricardo Arduengo/AFP/Getty Images
The words “prayer for peace” appeared on the screen behind the finalists. Official Miss World Twitter account tweeted that the performance was part of the contest’s efforts to “support Ukraine”. The organizers also said that more than 7,000 candles were prepared for the show, which was broadcast in more than 100 countries. In a statement released ahead of the competition, the CEO of Miss World Ltd. Julia Morley said: “We have to do something, even if it may seem that lighting one candle is never enough, if we all light a candle together, we can change the world”, inviting people from all over the world “to shed their light on Ukraine and post images on social media. Earlier this week, the organizers of the Miss World contest published a video message from Miss Ukraine 2016 Oleksandra Kucherenko. Against a virtual background of footage from the conflict, she appealed to countries around the world to “support us, close the sky over Ukraine and save the world (from) a nuclear catastrophe”, adding: “Our world is your world. “
The current “Miss Ukraine” Alexandra Yaremchuk, who did not qualify for the final, is now in Kyiv, the organization said.
Miss Poland Karolina Belawska waves her hand after winning the 70th Miss World beauty pageant. Credit: Ricardo Arduengo/AFP/Getty Images
Originally scheduled for December, the Miss World pageant has been postponed after several people associated with the event, including 23 of 97 contestants, tested positive for Covid-19 just days before the end.
Only 40 semi-finalists were invited back to Wednesday’s rebuilt event hosted by English singer and TV presenter Peter Andre and Mexican singer and actor Fernando Allende.
By that time, the preliminary competitions had already taken place: Yase was named the winner in the “Top Model” part of the contest, the representative of Mongolia Burte-Ujin Anu won the Miss World Talent contest, and Carolina Vidales from Mexico was named Miss World Sports.
Top image caption: Miss Poland Karolina Belawska (center) smiles after winning the 70th Miss World Pageant at the Coca-Cola Music Hall in San Juan, Puerto Rico on March 16, 2022.