Miss World 2013 Pageant

Miss Philippines Megan Young is officially on top of the world! After a pageant that featured contestants from 127 countries, Megan was named the winner and crowned Miss World 2013.

Miss Philippines Wins Miss World 2013

“I promise to be the best Miss World ever,” Megan said after winning Miss World 2013, a pageant that has been put on for 63 years. Megan was clearly emotional after the big announcement, covering her mouth with her hands and smiling uncontrollably.

Though she’s Miss Philippines, Megan was actually born in America — Alexandria, Virginia to be exact — where she lived until the age of 10, according to New York Daily News. She has appeared on Filipino television shows and has even been a TV host, but pageants are her true calling, and on Sept. 28 she reached the apex of her dream!

Miss France Marine Lorphelin took second place, while Miss Ghana Carranzar Naa OkaileyShooter took third.

Miss World 2013 Protests

2013′s Miss World pageant was not without drama by any means though. The pageant, which was set to be held in the predominantly Muslim city Jakarta, faced mass protests from the Islamic Defenders Front, who believed the pageant went against Muslim teachings and let participants show too much skin.

Even with organizers vowing to cut bikinis out of the swimsuit portion of the competition, opposition in Jakarta continued to grow. So just three weeks before the event’s final, the Indonesian government moved Miss World from Jakarta to the Hindu-dominated island of Bali.

That turned out to be a perfect solution, as Miss World 2013 went off without a hitch, and Megan received her tiara and sash without being overshadowed by any negativity.

Congratulations, Megan!

Hollywoodlife.com

Miss Venezuela crowned Miss World in London

via reuters.com

A human resources graduate from Venezuela, whose ambition is to work with children, was crowned Miss World 2011 at a glittering beauty pageant in London on Sunday.

Ivian Sarcos, 21, took the ultimate beauty accolade at Earls Court in London, the city where the first Miss World was staged in 1951.

Outside the venue, a small feminist demonstration took place, protesting at what they said was an "appalling offence against women's equality."

The beauty contest was broadcast live to more than 150 countries and was watched by a billion viewers, organisers said.

The competition has drawn criticism in recent years for being outdated and little more than a chance to look good in swimwear.

But of the 122 contestants whom Sarcos beat, a quarter are graduates and more than half speak three or more languages.

Sarcos, who currently works for a broadcasting company, said her future ambition was to work with non-governmental organisations and children, according to the Miss World web site.

She has already created her own foundation to help youngsters.

Her hobbies include volleyball, mountaineering and trekking.

One of 13 children, Sarcos said her proudest moment was "when I did my Communion."

Next year's Miss World will be held in China's Inner Mongolia.