MISS WORLD 2017 REVIEW..
I am an ardent Pageant Fan, and have been following the miss world and miss universe pageant since 1994 when I was just 10 years old.
Miss universe 2000 was the first time I saw a pageant live, and ever since then I have watched both miss universe and miss world pageants live in india, (except miss universe 2005 which wasn’t telecasted live in india)
With the advent of internet, I have followed every pageant since miss world 2000. I have been glued to missosology.org, Jimmys pageant page on yahoo called geocities, miss universe critic to the current day missosolgy.
However I must confess that miss world/universe 2017 are the least followed by me in terms of coverage. Quite frankly, I have been put off by the miss universe/world coverage from last year.
But I did follow the head to head challenge.
As such post the miss world pageant I hereby provide my viewing experience.
I had few early favourites thanks to the head to head challenge.
When the miss world organisation announced that they would announce 40 quarter finalist followed including 20 head to head qualifiers, I was very astounded and found it crazy.
However the Head to Head challenges were an amazing insight to all the competing countries. Rather an opportunity to know every contestant as a person and give the an opportunity to shine. Which in turn gave me few favourites and they are :
In no particular order.
russia
Indonesia
Poland
United States
England
Korea
Mexico
Colombia
Venezuelala
South Africa
Lebanon
Philipines
India
France
Nigeria
vietnam
For me this year was anyone game. With no clear front runners I couldn’t see a rolene/megan/ksenia/wen xiu/ ivian/ rosana Davison scenario. However unlike 2015/2016 which had very weak batches, it was quite a breather to see some really strong contestants. (i always like when you are guessing who would win)
so, after so much of anticipation (yes I never miss the miss world/universe telecast)
To my delight this time no one was at my home. Which means I could watch the entire MW17 show in my drawing room on my 85” UHD tv with home theatre speakers on. BRILLIANT.
I was invited for the blenders pride fashion week in my city at 7:30 as such I had to immediately rush for the fashion show after the conclusion of the ceremony which would end at 7:30 IST.
In india the show was to be telecasted from 5:05 PM. And the show started. In a few moments the telecast was snapped due to satellite error. Thanks to technology, I had my MacBook by my side. And I turned to the times of india miss world webcast. It was then I realised that india was having a 5 mins delayed Telecast. I WAS DISGUSTED. I FELT CHEATED. BETRAYED.
Immediately I turned to my MacBook for the live telecast. And the experience started.
I did miss out on a little bit of introduction, but thats okie.
I recall the MWO organisation stating that they have an amazing stage for the finals the stage was definitely an upgrade from last year, but you cant compare it to the amazing stage we have seen in the past like: MW-1996/98/99/2000/2001/2006/ 2012. I mean who can forget the ever evolving stage of miss world 1999 at London oilypia. And the miss world 2000 stage at the millennium done. And the miss world 2012 stage at dongshang inner mongolia was a sight so imposing. Felt like an ice cake with contestants as moving sweets. The set was nice, but I wouldn’t give it that much credit as it has been publicised for.
The introduction was one of the best that I had ever seen in miss world since miss world 1999 and miss world 2014. I have always wanted/encouraged that contestants in pageant should be introduced content wise. And I am glad that they did it that way. The continental introductions followed by dances of the world was an icing on the cake. If only at the end all the contestants performed in the national costumes in the opening number would have been a perfect beginning to the the miss world 2017 show.
So it was good to see Megan Young return. Even tho I found Angela chow a bit irritating by miss world 2010. Her return in miss world 2015-17 has been a pleasure and quite a charm to watch. Fernando was I guess there only to present his new song. But a 10 year anniversary return is much appreciated.
The opening number in the shimmery gold dress was amazing, but I think it could have been avoided to give more airtime to the contestants.
I was glad that the did away with fast track VT quickly in a matter of 2 mins. However I always wish and long that the winners should be shown on stage in front of the world audience right after the FAST TRACK VT. It would give them a befitting applause and publicity for their achievement.
FAST TRACKS were followed by the head to head challenge VT. And the Winners were displayed on screen. And in a few seconds 20 contestants were in the front row. It would have been nice if each head to head group were called in a pack of six and the winner announced on stage. We always want action on stage these steps would result in lots of action on stage. It would keep every one glued to their seats. No one would flip their channels. None-the-less the show progressed at its own pace n I continued watching the extravaganza unfold.
But it was nice to see all the beauty with a purpose finalist stand on stage, and its always good to see all of them win. If I were to chose one project among the 5, I would give it to miss Vietnam. She really made a real difference in the lives of people and a community by bringing light in their homes, which in turn brought light in their lives and gave them a sense of hope. Hats of the her effort and presentation. I wish I could be like her. I seriously do. I am a product of my circumstances and my limitations like most people are. And miss world beauty with a purpose videos each year gives me inspiration and hope to move ahead and make a difference in peoples life. And in a way heat the world and lift people on to the front path of direction.
But lets now focus on the competition.
The judges choices were introduced one by one. And I am glad they all got their faces in the frame of the camera.
For me the highlight were:
Miss usa: what a strong personality. I just wish she had the sparkle of Elizabeth Nefertiti.
Jamaica: her introduction video on a boat to her speech all through out was good enough for her to be chosen as the judges pick,
Kenya: she reminded me of lupita nyongo on her Oscar night. Amazing stage presence and that gown was iconic. For me her gown is as iconic as miarigona dragusa (miss Kosovo universe 2009), oxana fedarova Miss Universe 2002, yukta mookhey mw-99, zukeyka rivera mu2006. That gown n personality in itself was good enough for her to be in top 5.
Miss Ukraine: amazing gown
Korea: she reminded me of last years miss Korea Miriam wong
England: she was as intelligent as miss england 2014 dr carina
Russia: WA WA WHOOOOM that red gown reminded me of ksenia sukhinova first glimpse on miss world 2009 in jo burg south africa. I loved the red dress and the little twirling threatening to transform into dance moves.. very very adorable.
I was waiting for Israel to be called for, she reminded me of Jenny shervani miss Israel world 1999.
Miss venezuela.. but then she was already in top 20 head to head challenge.
And then the top judges choices were called for. Here I would like to thank god, that it wasn’t Steve doughlas who called them out. He always seems to be in a hurry and the camera finds it difficult to focus on the countries being called out.
1) mongolia
2) Russia- well deserved
3) indonesia- i liked her, adored her.. its just that she wd have been a very boring miss world. Her gown reminded me of Parvathy omnatuttan miss world india 2008.
4) el salvador
5) korea: a very chic gown. Liked it.
6) nigeria: an amazing girl.. but a horrible gown and styling spoiled her chances.
7) south Africa: I always predicted her to be top 15.
japan: surprisingly, a lot of oriental girls made it this year. Can it be because of the new Silk Road tie up.
9) mexico: she was fighting for the top spot.
10) France: i always have a soft corner for miss frances.
11) jamica
12) india: i am indian, i new she was nice. But I always look for a mukta mokhey/priyanka chopra interview skills from miss indias.. but she had a charm that worked for her.
13) macau chaina
14) England
15) kenya: madeline blew my mind each time I saw her. She took my breath away just like kurara chibana in mis suniverse 2006.
As the evening progressed: Fernando’s song on the beach was a breath of fresh air. Only after seeing the girls in beachwear can one agree why swimsuits are always a welcome and adds freshness to the whole event,
The top 15 were waiting backstage and each Megan called them one by one.
So here is my thing. I just hate watching VT during a CUT. Its so distracting. I mean it kills the excitement of the moment. I would advice both miss world and miss universe to announce the cut and then show the VT, followed bt a stage presence of the country. Simple and it creates a segment. Whats your take on this guys?
But this time Steve Douglas called them out.. n m glad he wasn’t hurrying as always.. I liked his commentary about the former winners and miss world history.. its time miss world now shares its history more n more often. They have every right.!!
So the top 10 were quite acceptable:
Indonesia
Russia
England
Korea
Jamaica
India
South Africa
Kenya
France
Mexico.
By this time I was going to focus on to the winner. Whom do I think can win the game and who will make it to the top 5. As I have no clear winner in mind. Neither am I the person who wants india to win each year. I always want A deserving winner at the end. For some reason I wasn’t waiting for miss India name to be called, but one thing that I did notice that she was every inch a miss world prototype. Amazing styling, beautiful face amazing hairstyle. And an infectious smile.
I personally wanted to see: india, Russia kenya, France mexico in top 5.
I didn’t want Indonesia to be in top 5, because the moment she would be in top 5 she would slay the competetion with her serene speech. She may b an amazing girl. But I just didn’t want her.
Howsoeverer I liked and adored miss Nigeria, was superdissapointed with her styling. Why didn’t she seek help from agbani??? Had she styled well she would have been in top 3.
Who made it to the top 5???
england: truly deserved both in terms of beauty and intelligence.
France: I just done understand why are miss France worlds so badly styled unlike miss universe france.
India: by this time she was emerging as a stand out and strong contender.
Kenya: she was the star of the evening.
Mexico: her gown was a sight to behold. N I was just hoping she be called and she she was.. lupine must be very happy( but I guess she gave up the franchise)
And then came the final question.
It was a good to hear the same strong head to head challenge questions. At least all of them have had a time to reflect in the past.
So how did they do in their final questions:
england: if the results were based on the answers on stage.. she was the rightful winner.
France: I am always of the opinion that miss France should use an interpreters (they should have learnt from the mistakes of Chloe mutuard in mwfrance09 and Marianne lorphine mwfrance 13. As she spoke and delivered her answer even she knew she goofed it up by speaking in English.
India: her answer had depth. She had charm. Both combined made her stand out.
Kenya: I just wish she spoke in Swahili or was better trained in speech. Had she trained a little hard with her speech, i wd have loved to see her win. Nothess she knew she was out of the race.
Mexico: her answer was good. But an answer in Spanish wd have been much easier for her and wd have given her a little help.
So after the final question whom was I rooting to win..
I was putting on my clothes, getting ready, styling my hair all in a matter of ten mins to leave for blenders pride fashion show right after the crowining.
Was I expecting india to win…?? mexico to win?? Well, honestly, I didn’t think. I was just waiting for Julia to come on stage…
And there she was.. and in moments I had my top 3..
india or mexico for the win
France /india /mexicocfor 1st runner up
Kenya as 2nd up for sure.
Stephanie del valle final presentation as miss world was shown. She put her controversial win last year by thanking catorina gray. It was her way say thank you to her and I am sorry it happened to her.. she came in a gown which was inspired from the miss world crown.. and her capes reminded me of the cape dress yukta mokhey wore while crowning Priyanka chopra…
And as is customary, Julia came on stage to read out the results in reverse order.
In third place..,……ENGLAND… well.. to be honest, her answer combined with her styling gave her well deserved 3rd place
The second place…..MEXICOOOO… I was sad… yet I was happy for her… she deserved it..
Which means miss world is gonna be from india.. n I knew she was winning….
The whole stadium was rooting for india… india.. indiaa…..
And miss world 2017………… IIIIIIIS…..MISS INDIAAAAAAAAA… n burst into a thunderous applause.. I mean.. she is angelic.. beautiful.. infectiously chaming smile.. she deserved the crown, just like rolene.. ivian.. Megan.. its just that she wasn’t a clear winner from the begining.
But then, after 17 years, when I had cuddled myself into a long wintery nap, that india will no longer win miss world….. she did… she won fair and square.. and we all are proud of her..
She received her sash and crown from Stephanie del valle. Her coronation walk… one world one dream theme.. and then something very serene happend.
All the contestants on stage moved back a few steps..chineese young girls came walking in a silver and green frock singing a Chinese song…a ,melody so beautiful that I am humming it 24hours after I heard it the first time.
A melody so soothing that plays the strings of my heart and makes me feel young and innocent. The kids looked so adorable.. reminded me of the miss universe little sisters… I so wish I can hear it every year.. a wonderful ending to a wonderful event.
What would I like to see next year..
A more edge-ier miss world..
And a lot of former miss worlds.. especially jina swainson miss world from bermuda.
Kimberly santos from Guam.
Gina tolleson from usa.
unnur birna from iceland.
Diana hayden/yukta mookey from india.
Irene skliva from greece.
Madelline Baig from peru..
and whilst I may also take the opportunity to acknowledge the outpouring of attention that is being given to manushi in india in incredible..I mean every celebrity is tweeting, dignitaries as congratulating.. it goes on to prove that my assumption that india has grown up and moved beyond beauty pageants such as miss world and miss universe, but a winner will always be appreciated and looked upto..
good going manushi!!!