Miss World 2015 Recap: Miss Spain crowned Miss World, Miss Australia grabs a spot in top ten

The Miss World 2015 pageant was held at the Beauty Crown Grand Theatre in Sanya, China on Saturday, Dec. 19. Miss World 2014 Rolene Strauss, who is from South Africa, crowned her successor Miss Spain, Mireia Lalaguna Royo, the new Miss World.

Miss Russia Sofiya Nitikchuk was declared the first runner-up, while the second runner-up was Miss Indonesia Maria Harfanti. Miss Spain also won the Top Model title.

Miss Spain, the 23-year-old Pharmacology grad, said during the Q&A round that just because she is beautiful on the outside does not mean she is not beautiful inside. “I also think I have something inside my heart that I always try to give the best of me. I also believe in Beauty With A Purpose and want to continue its legacy,” Royo said.

Miss Russia Nitikchuk said that she wanted to show the world her life and happiness. "To share my life love and happiness with the people is really what i want to do," she said. Miss Indonesia Harfanti said that she wanted to reach out to people around her and the community, so that she could make a difference. "I have always been inspired by BWAP, and to be Miss World would fulfill my dreams," she said.

The Miss World top 5 contestants were Spain, Russia, Indonesia, Lebanon and Jamaica. Miss Jamaica Sanneta Myrie is the first ever contestant to sport a dreadlock in the Miss World pageant, The Telegraph UK reports. Miss Australia, Tess Alexander, made it to top ten, but she failed to grab a spot in top five.

The Miss World 2015 People’s Choice Award was given to Miss Vietnam, Trần Ngọc Lan Khuê, while Miss Indonesia won the Beauty with a Purpose title. Miss World Talent went to Miss Guyana, Lisa Punch, World Designer went to Miss Vietnam, and Sports and Fitness winner was Miss Namibia, Steffi Van Wyk.

The 65th edition of the beauty pageant opened with a traditional dance by Chinese performers. All the 114 contestants sashayed down the stage in their evening gowns. Bahamian singer Julien Believe, too, performed on Saturday night.

The grand finale was hosted by the “Access Hollywood” presenter Tim Vincent, Megan Young, Filipino actress and former Miss World winner and Angela Chow, Taiwanese-Canadian actress.

Meanwhile, this year's beauty pageant was not minus its controversy. Miss World Canada Anastasia Lin was stopped in Hong Kong and denied permission to board a flight to attend the finals in China on Thursday. The University of Toronto graduate has been vocal about human rights abuses in China, BBC reports.