To be clear, it’s the 75th anniversary, not the 75th edition. There’s a difference. Many would recall the several hitches – pandemic included – that messed up the organization’s timeline and propelled them to skip years. To summarize, 2021 was plagued by a COVID-19 outbreak and resumed with just the Top 40 in early 2022, while the 2023 girls were deferred to 2024. It was only last year when annuality was finally restored and, for the schedule-inclined, so was the order.

So, this is actually the 73rd staging. But if we consider years of existence, this is in fact, Miss World’s Diamond Year. It was on July 29, 1951 when they mounted the very first one with 21 Brits and six foreigners – a humble, barely diverse roster, compared to the droves we’re used to seeing today. Put succinctly, they’ve come a long way, replete with occasional controversies and dethronement scandals.  The 1970 edition, for one, notably became the subject of the 2020 film, Misbehaviour. Nevertheless, prestige and popularity never evaded them. 

It’s the first time for Vietnam to host the festival. Having debuted in 2002, it’s now the newest mainstay to serve as venue. This was confirmed by the MWO last March 25 and was preceded by visits by Chairwoman and CEO Julia Morley and the incumbent queen, Opal Suchata Chuangsri. The agreement was inked last May 14, with the coastal city of Nha Trang identified as contest site.

It would have been this decade’s highest roster, if not for the usual no-shows. Armenia’s  Monika Harutjunjan and Togo’s Nardiratou Afolabi never confirmed; Estonia’s Mari-Ann Rouk prioritized her studies; and Ecuador’s MGI alumna, Samantha Quenedit had to sit out due to health reasons. That leaves the final head count at 111, which is one contestant shy of 2023/2024’s. But, on the upside, five nations mark their debut and it’s the highest number of new entries since 2000.

On August 9, the ladies arrived and kicked off their month-long affair with a traditional ao dai parade. One week later, the Fast Tracks and pocket competitions commenced.

Miss World’s Head Chef Beauty. A new non-Fast Track challenge that’s, loosely put, a queenly take on Top Chef

The Sports Challenge

The Green World Fashion Show, which served as the Top Model preliminary.

The Head to Head Challenge

The Talent Show

The Top Model Finals

++++++++++++++++++++

The format echoes last year’s, but with slight variations. This is Miss World, after all. Format uniformity left the room in Y2K. 10 entrants from each Continental Group will comprise an official Top 40. This will include the winners of the Sports and Talent Fast Tracks, plus one regional pick each for Head to Head, Top Model, Multimedia, and the ever-pivotal Beauty with the Purpose. People’s Choice will also have an elevated role this year. Now powered by Eventista, the voting round will determine each continent’s most popular entrant, who will each earn a free pass.

Now, herein comes the variations. As the field is cut in half, the overall winners of Head to Head, Top Model, and Multimedia will automatically be accounted for. While only two Beauty with a Purpose qualifiers will be assured of a slot. The judges will then pick 15 more to form a continentally-balanced Top 20.

This is where the difference from last year gets more pronounced. The Top Two of each continent will advance, together with the Top Two BWAP qualifiers and the Top Two of People’s Choice to form the Top 12. Whether the latter refers to the Top Two regional qualifiers or Top Two overall remains to be seen.

Finally, the homestretch will comprise of the four Continental Winners, the overall winner for People’s Choice, and the overall BWAP champion, further emphasizing the vitality of said category. From there, the podium finishers will be awarded and the new Miss World will be crowned. 

Here’s the full overview: 

As of this writing, the Sports, Talents, and Head to Head qualifiers have already secured their slots, while the finalists of Multimedia and Beauty with a Purpose have yet to be revealed. And, looking at the People’s Choice running tally, there will be dark horses – including two potential first-time placers. So, expect the usual twists and upsets as early as now. Your list of favorites isn’t bound to remain.

COMING UP: The Candidate Round-Up