Miss Thailand Opal Suchata Chuangsri was crowned Miss World 2025 at the 72nd edition of the Miss World pageant at the HITEX Exhibition Centre in Hyderabad, Telangana on Saturday. The winner was crowned by Miss World 2024 Krystyna Pyszková, marking the culmination of weeks of cultural exchange, competition and celebration.
Hosted by former Miss World 2016 Stephanie Del Valle and Indian television personality Sachiin Kumbhar, the grand finale brought together 108 contestants from around the globe. The top contestants had advanced through a series of fast-track events such as the Head to Head Challenge, Top Model, Beauty with a Purpose, Talent, Sports, and Multimedia, before being narrowed down to 40 quarterfinalists, then a Top 10 in each continental group, followed by the Top 5, Top 2, and finally, one crowned winner.
The evening was as intellectually charged as it was glamorous. Finalists were put through a round of thought-provoking questions by the panel of judges. Miss World 2017 Manushi Chhillar asked Miss Martinique Aurélie Joachim how world leaders can lead with truth in the age of misinformation. Ms. Joachim responded: “We have to take our time to understand what kind of information we have, verify it, and then choose the right response.”
Actor Rana Daggubati posed a question to Miss Ethiopia Hasset Dereje Admassu on how to change the perception of beauty pageants. She replied, “Miss World is more than beauty. I’m the first-ever Ethiopian to reach this stage. It’s about purpose, and it matters to mothers and children across the world.”Miss Poland Maja Klajda was asked by actor Namrata Shirodkar about her experience in Telangana that the headlines couldn’t capture. Ms. Klajda reflected on her personal growth and said, “My biggest achievement was overcoming shyness. Telangana’s hospitality reminded me of home, it’s been a second family. My most memorable moment was witnessing the compassion shown during our visit to a medical tourism facility.”
Actor Sonu Sood asked Miss Thailand Opal Suchata Chuangsri what the journey taught her about storytelling and personal responsibility. “I’ve learned we must become people our loved ones look up to,” she said. “No matter how far we go, our actions should always speak louder.”Each continental group produced a winner after a rapid-fire 45-second round where they were asked why they deserved the crown. The continental queens were Miss Martinique (Americas and Caribbean), Miss Ethiopia (Africa), Miss Poland (Europe), and Miss Thailand (Asia and Oceania).Earlier in the evening, the top 10 contestants were selected from each region. For Asia and Oceania, this included India, Indonesia, Thailand and others. From Africa, finalists hailed from nations, including Nigeria, Ethiopia, and Namibia. Europe saw strong contenders from Ireland, Italy and Poland, while the Americas and Caribbean featured candidates from Argentina, Martinique and the United States, among others.
The winner of the prestigious “Beauty with a Purpose” round was Miss Indonesia Monica Kezia Sembiring, who impressed with her project Pipeline for Lifeline, aimed at improving access to clean water and sanitation in underserved communities.Tensions heightened as the Top 2 from each region were announced. Brazil and Martinique led in the Americas and Caribbean; Ethiopia and Namibia in Africa; Poland and Ukraine in Europe; and the Philippines and Thailand from Asia and Oceania. India’s Miss World contestant Nandini Gupta was eliminated from the competition at this stage.
The event was punctuated with captivating performances, including a spirited Bollywood dance segment by Jacqueline Fernandez and actor Ishaan Khatter. Actor Sonu Sood was presented with the Miss World Humanitarian Award by Rana Daggubati.
The panel of judges included Dr. Carina Tyrell (public health expert and former Miss England 2014), philanthropist Sudha Reddy, actor and producer Rana Daggubati, Telangana Special Chief Secretary Jayesh Ranjan, Miss World 2017 Manushi Chhillar, actress and former Miss India Namrata Shirodkar, actor and humanitarian Sonu Sood, Donna Walsh, the Stage Director for Miss World, and Miss World Chairperson and CEO Julia Morley who announced the final result.
The month-long celebration in Telangana featured historical tours, cultural showcases and a global platform for advocacy and empowerment. As Ms. Manushi Chhillar summed up, “Isn’t it better to light one candle in the dark than not to see at all? These women are not here just to be admired, they are here to bring change.”
