Credit:Â Ricardo Arduengo/AFP/Getty Images
In the capital of Puerto Rico, San Juan, the most beautiful girl in the world was named Miss Poland Karolina Bielawska.
Bielawska, 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 contest was delayed due to a Covid-19 outbreak. Miss USA, Shree Saini, was named first runner-up, while Ivory Coast's Olivia Yacé took the second runner-up spot.
Earlier this week, Miss World organizers published a video message from 2016's Miss Ukraine, Oleksandra Kucherenko. Against a virtual backdrop of footage from the conflict, she appealed to countries around the world "to support us, to close the sky above Ukraine and to save the world (from a) nuclear catastrophe," adding:
"Our peace is your peace."
Oleksandra Kucherenko
According to CNN, in addition to the usual speeches, the ceremony presented messages supporting Ukraine. Tony-Ann Singh from Jamaica, who won Miss World 2019, sang "Prayer" by Celine Dion and Andrea Bocelli, and everyone present on stage and in the hall held candles while performing the song.
The words "prayer for peace" appeared on the screen behind the finalists. The official account of "Miss World" on Twitter said that the performance was an attempt by the contest organizers to support Ukraine. It was also reported that more than 7,000 candles were prepared for the show, which was broadcast in more than 100 countries.
In a statement issued before the pageant, Miss World CEO Julia Morley said: "We have to do something, even if it may seem that one candle is not enough, if we all light candles together, we can change the world." The organizers called on people from all over the world to "shed their light on Ukraine" and post images of candles on social networks.
