“Be the person that someone or the other will look up to”, is the mantra that won Thailand’s Opal Suchata Chuangsri her Miss World crown at the star-studded 72nd Miss World contest here on Saturday.
She became her country’s first Miss World.
“I always believe that no matter who you are and no matter how old you are, no matter what title you hold in your life, there is always a person next to you — whether it’s a child, whether it’s an adult, it could even be your own parents — that look up to you in a way. And the best way to lead people is to lead with their gracefulness in your actions. That is the best thing we can do to the people around us and in our world,” said the 72nd Miss World. She was replying to a question by one of the judges, Sonu Sood.
Sood wanted to know what her Miss World journey taught her about the truth and personal responsibility in shaping how the stories are told.
Incidentally, according to the Miss World website, Chuangsri was crowned Miss World Thailand 2025 on April 22, just a week before she departed to Hyderabad to participate in the 72nd edition of the Miss World. She has also represented her country in Miss Universe 2024, finishing third runner-up.
Miss World first runner-up Hasset Dereje from Ethiopia is the first ever from her country too to have reached this far in the Miss World contest. Ethiopia started sending representatives from 2003 onwards, according to the Miss World website. Answering a member of the jury, actor Rana Daggubati’s question on what it means to be a beauty queen, Dereje said she holds “so much pride” in being the first in her country to come this far. “A lot of people think Miss World is just another pageant, another beauty contest. But it is more than that. There are so many children and mothers behind me that get so many things from me from standing here. I am the first ever Ethiopian to ever make it this far and I hold so much pride in it,” answered Dereje.
Second runner-up Maja Klajda from Poland, a third year student of Psychology, was pushing for open conversations about temperament, peer pressure, and psychological well-being, to help young people better understand themselves for her Beauty With A Purpose (BWAP) project. Third runner-up was Aurelie Joachim of Martinique. She was pitching for mental health awareness through her BWAP project.
Reigning Miss World Krystyna Pyszkova, who crowned the beauty queens, talked about how important it is to dream big and believe in that dream. Indonesia’s Monica Kezia Sembiring won the Beauty with a Purpose Award. The grand finale was hosted by Stephanie del Valle (Miss World 2016) alongside Indian presenter Sachiin Kumbhar.
Daggubati presented the Miss World Humanitarian Award to Sood.
The other juries include Sudha Reddy, Global Ambassador for Beauty With a Purpose in 2025, actor Namrata Shirodkar, Manushi Chhillar (winner of Miss World 2017) and Telangana Special Chief Secretary (Tourism) Jayesh Ranjan. Julia Morley CBE, Chairwoman of Miss World, headed the jury and announced the winner of the 72nd Miss World. (PTI)
The evening saw the likes of Bollywood stars Jacqueline Fernandez and Ishaan Khatter grooving to a medley of hits in Hindi and Telugu, including the Oscar-winning ‘Naatu, Naatu’.
Apart from Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy, the VVIPs present for the event include superstar Chiranjeevi, who attended the event with his wife Surekha. The contestants walked the runway in specially designed evening gowns.
Tryst with Indian culture for Miss World contestants
It was an immersive experience in Indian culture for the Miss World 2025 contestants, besides other exciting events during their stay in Telangana this month as part of the pageant’s schedule.
Beginning with a visit to Buddhavanam, a Buddhist theme park on the banks of river Krishna in neighbouring Nalgonda district, on the occasion of Buddha Purnima on May 12, the beauty queens have had an unforgettable experience of India’s cultural diversity.
The contestants visited the historic Charminar and undertook a heritage walk through the bustling lanes of Laad Bazaar, known for its traditional bangles and pearls the next day. The Heritage Walk culminated at the majestic Nizam-era Chowmahalla Palace where the contestants were welcomed to a grand cultural evening.
It was followed by a visit and prayers at the famous Shiva temple, popularly known as Ramappa temple, in Mulugu district of Telangana, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Dressed in sarees for the occasion, some of them joined local women in dancing to the songs of Bathukamma, the floral festival of Telangana. The contestants witnessed the making of famous handwoven IKAT sarees at Pochampally village near here and also offered prayers at the Lord Lakshmi Narasimha temple at Yadagirigutta near here on May 15.
The following day was marked by a a visit to the legendary 700-year-old banyan tree at Pillalamarri in Mahabubnagar district, a popular natural heritage of Telangana. After back-to-back visits to various tourist destinations in Telangana, the contestants indulged in sporting activities, while also having a gala time at the Ramoji Film City here, the world’s largest film city, on May 17.
After soaking in the sights of Charminar and other iconic destinations across Telangana, the contestants on May 20 took part in one of the pageant’s most anticipated segments—the ‘Head to Head Challenge’ which allows contestants to voice their opinions, present their social impact projects, and articulate their motivations. (PTI)
The contestants got a taste of Telangana’s rich cultural heritage on May 22 during a visit to state-run ‘Shilparamam’ arts and crafts village here, where they immersed themselves in traditional art forms such as pottery, painting, and folk dance.
In the Talent Grand Finale, the beauty queens showcased their brilliance and mesmerising performances. The grand finale of the Head-to-Head challenge on May 24 was marked by elegance and thoughtful discussion.
In a fashion show, the contestants dazzled in Pochampally and other Indian fabrics. Celebrating India’s rich textile heritage and promoting Telangana’s traditional handloom art, the contestants wore contemporary Indo-Western ensembles designed with vibrant Pochampally patterns, highlighting the fusion of heritage.
The pageant found itself in the middle of a controversy after Miss England Milla Magee, who withdrew from the contest citing family issues, reportedly made allegations over ethical issues.
In a statement to a British tabloid, Magee reportedly expressed disappointment with the pageant’s environment, which she said did not align with her expectations of ‘beauty with a purpose’.
Contestants were allegedly expected to wear make-up at all times and remain dressed in ball gowns throughout the day, media reports had said, quoting her. However, Miss World CEO Julia Morley denied the allegations. Jayesh Ranjan, a Special Chief Secretary of the state government, who conducted an inquiry, had said “no evidence was found” over Magee’s reported allegations.
The Miss World 2025 pageant kicked off with a grand ceremony in Hyderabad on May 10. Leveraging the event, the Telangana government devised an elaborate action plan to showcase the state as a hub of tourism and investment.