SPANISH BEAUTY Mireia Lalaguna Royo was crowned Miss World 2015 in Sanya, China on Saturday night, December 19, after a close battle against 113 other women from across the world.
Royo’s win is the first for Spain since the London-based pageant began in 1951.
“I think it’s important that they don’t want to see only our bodies, they are looking for moral things,” she said.
“I think this is a good decision, because Miss World is not looking for our body, they are looking for a soul,” Lalaguna told AP in an interview after the pageant.
The 23-year-old model from Barcelona has a degree in pharmacology and plans to pursue a master’s degree in nutrition. She won the top model contest.
Last year’s winner, Rolene Strauss of South Africa, passed the crown to Royo during the event, watched by over a billion people around the globe.
Miss Russia Sofia Nikitchuk emerged first runner-up and Indonesia’s Maria Harfanti second runner-up. Completing the top 5 are Miss Lebanon Valerie Abou Chacra and Miss Jamaica Sanneta Myrie.
Newly crowned Miss World Mireia Lalaguna Royo from Spain celebrates at the end of the 2015 Miss World Grand Final in Sanya in south China’s Hainan province Saturday Dec. 19, 2015. Spain’s Mireia Lalaguna Royo was named the winner of the Miss World 2015 competition Saturday night in the southern Chinese island resort of Sanya, an event dogged by controversy over China’s refusal to allow Canada’s entrant to attend. (Chinatopix Via AP) CHINA OUT
(Front row, 3rd L to 2nd R) Second-placed Miss Russia Sofia Nikitchuk, winner Miss Spain Mireia Lalaguna Royo, third-placed Miss Indonesia Maria Harfanti, Miss Lebanon Valerie Abou Chacra and Miss Jamaica Sanneta Myrie hold hands as they celebrate during the Miss World 2015 pageant in Sanya, Hainan province, China, December 19, 2015. REUTERS/Stringer
The Philippines’ Bet
The Philippines’ bet, Hilarie Danielle Parungao, took a spot in the Top 10 but didn’t advance to the Top 5. She did win the Multi-media challenge.
Miss World Philippines 2015 Hilarie Parungao
The Top 10 finalists include Misses PHILIPPINES, GUYANA, FRANCE, SOUTH AFRICA, and AUSTRALIA, joined by Miss Vietnam, who won the People’s Choice Award.
Completing the top 20 finalists are beauties from THE NETHERLANDS, BRAZIL, KAZAKHSTAN, POLAND, NEW ZEALAND, CHINA PR, SOUTH SUDAN, SCOTLAND, ECUADOR, and NORTHERN IRELAND.
Special award winners are Miss INDONESIA for Beauty with a Purpose, Miss Spain for Top Model, Miss Philippines for Best in Multimedia, Namibia for Sports, and Guyana for Miss Talent.
Miss World 2013, the Philippines’ Megan Young, served as one of the hosts during the two-hour final show.
Miss World 2015 Top 10 finalists.
Miss World 2013, Filipina beauty Megan Young, served as one of the hosts.
Photos from Miss World, AP, and Reuters.