By Ruby Zaidi
In a dazzling finale held at the HITEX Exhibition Centre in Hyderabad, Telangana, Opal Suchata Chuangsri of Thailand was crowned Miss World 2025 at the 72nd edition of the prestigious pageant.
She was crowned by outgoing Miss World 2024, Krystyna Pyszková, marking the culmination of a month-long celebration of culture, empowerment, and global camaraderie.
The event, co-hosted by former Miss World 2016 Stephanie Del Valle and Indian TV personality Sachiin Kumbhar, saw participation from 108 contestants representing countries across the globe.
Contestants competed in fast-track events like the Head to Head Challenge, Top Model, Beauty with a Purpose, Talent, Sports, and Multimedia.
From there, the field narrowed to 40 quarterfinalists, then to a Top 10 by continent, before the final five, top two, and ultimately, one crowned queen.
The finale blended elegance with intellect, as finalists faced thought-provoking questions from a distinguished panel of judges.
Miss World 2017 Manushi Chhillar asked Miss Martinique, Aurélie Joachim, how global leaders can uphold the truth in the era of misinformation. Joachim replied,
“We need to take the time to understand the information we receive, verify it, and respond responsibly.”
Actor Rana Daggubati posed a question to Miss Ethiopia Hasset Dereje Admassu about shifting perceptions around beauty pageants.
Her answer: “Miss World is about more than appearance. I’m proud to be the first Ethiopian to reach this stage. It’s about purpose — one that resonates with mothers and children globally.”
Miss Poland Maja Klajda shared a heartfelt response when asked by Namrata Shirodkar about her most unforgettable experience in Telangana:
“Overcoming my shyness was my biggest win. The warmth of the people here made me feel at home. I’ll never forget the compassion I witnessed during our visit to a medical tourism facility.”
When actor Sonu Sood asked Miss Thailand what the journey had taught her about storytelling and personal accountability, she responded, “I’ve learned that we must strive to be people our loved ones look up to.
No matter where we go, our actions should speak louder than our words.”
Before the crown was awarded, regional winners were chosen after a fast-paced 45-second round where contestants explained why they deserved the title. The continental queens were:
- Miss Martinique (Americas & Caribbean)
- Miss Ethiopia (Africa)
- Miss Poland (Europe)
- Miss Thailand (Asia & Oceania)
Earlier in the evening, the Top 10 contestants from each region were announced. In Asia and Oceania, representatives from India, Indonesia, and Thailand stood out. Africa’s finalists included Nigeria, Ethiopia, and Namibia, while Europe saw strong showings from Ireland, Italy, and Poland.
The Americas and Caribbean featured contenders from Brazil, Martinique, and the USA.
The “Beauty with a Purpose” title — one of the most esteemed awards of the night — went to Miss Indonesia Monica Kezia Sembiring for her project Pipeline for Lifeline, which addresses the critical need for clean water and sanitation in marginalized communities.
As tensions rose, the regional top two finalists were revealed:
- Brazil and Martinique (Americas & Caribbean)
- Ethiopia and Namibia (Africa)
- Poland and Ukraine (Europe)
- Philippines and Thailand (Asia & Oceania)
Unfortunately, India’s representative Nandini Gupta exited the competition at this stage.
The grand event featured mesmerizing performances, including a high-energy Bollywood number by Jacqueline Fernandez and Ishaan Khatter.
A special moment came when actor Sonu Sood was honored with the Miss World Humanitarian Award, presented by Rana Daggubati.
The judging panel included an eclectic mix of experts and celebrities:
- Dr. Carina Tyrell (Public Health Expert and Miss England 2014)
- Philanthropist Sudha Reddy
- Actor-producer Rana Daggubati
- Telangana Special Chief Secretary Jayesh Ranjan
- Former Miss World Manushi Chhillar
- Actress Namrata Shirodkar
- Actor and humanitarian Sonu Sood
- Miss World Stage Director Donna Walsh
- Miss World Chairperson and CEO Julia Morley
The month-long extravaganza in Telangana offered contestants cultural immersion, historical tours, and a chance to champion global causes.
As Manushi Chhillar poignantly said, “It’s better to light a candle in the darkness than not to see at all. These women aren’t just admired — they are here to inspire change.”
With Opal Suchata Chuangsri’s historic win, Miss World 2025 concluded on a high note, celebrating not just beauty but purpose, poise, and progress.