20 Finalists Announced for Head-to-Head Challenge at the 72nd Miss World Festival in Telangana
In a powerful celebration of voice, vision, and purpose, the 72nd Miss World Festival proudly announced the 20 finalists of the prestigious Head-to-Head Challenge following a riveting first round held in Telangana. This highly anticipated segment of the Miss World competition has once again reaffirmed the importance of substance and advocacy in the realm of beauty with a purpose.
Held amidst the cultural grandeur of India's youngest state, the Head-to-Head Challenge offered a platform for all 107 contestants from around the world to deliver compelling speeches on personal and global issues that matter deeply to them and to society. The preliminary round witnessed a display of remarkable articulation, emotional depth, and unshakable commitment to meaningful causes.
The 20 finalists, selected after a meticulous evaluation process, demonstrated not only eloquence and intelligence but also courage and authenticity. These young women stood out for their unwavering dedication to using their voices for change, illuminating stories of resilience, justice, mental health, education, sustainability, empowerment, and cultural identity.
The finalists advancing to the Head-to-Head Final this Friday are:
From the Europe Region:
• Spain – Corina Mrazek
• Wales – Millie-Mae Adams
• France – Agathe Cauet
• Germany – Silvia Dörre Sánchez
• Ireland – Jasmine Gerhardt
From the Americas & Caribbean Region:
• Brazil – Jessica Pedroso
• Suriname – Chenella Rozendaal
• Cayman Islands – Jada Ramoon
• Guyana – Zalika Samuels
• Trinidad and Tobago – Anna-Lise Nanton
From the Asia & Oceania Region:
• Sri Lanka – Anudi Gunasekara
• Thailand – Opal Suchata Chuangsri
• Turkiye – Idil Bilgen
• Lebanon – Nada Koussa
• Japan – Kiana Tomita
From the Africa Region:
• South Africa – Zoalize Jansen van Rensburg
• Namibia – Selma Carlicia Kamanya
• Somalia – Zainab Jama
• Uganda – Natasha Nyonyozi
• Zambia – Faith Bwalya
Each of these finalists will present once more in the concluding round, where their clarity, conviction, and commitment to advocacy will help determine the ultimate winner of this defining challenge.
Speaking on the significance of the event, Julia Morley CBE, Chairman and CEO of the Miss World Organisation, stated: 'I am immensely proud of every young woman who took part in the Head-to-Head Challenge. Their voices resonated with truth, courage, and inspiration. In a world that needs empathy and leadership more than ever, these women have reminded us of the power of storytelling, advocacy, and standing up for what is right. They have not only spoken—they have been heard, and their words are helping shape a more compassionate, inclusive, and thoughtful world.'
As the excitement peaks for the final round of the Head-to-Head Challenge, taking place today, 23rd May, the Miss World Festival continues to spotlight young women who redefine what it means to lead with purpose and passion. Telangana, with its vibrant heritage and forward-looking spirit, serves as the perfect host for this global celebration of beauty, voice, and vision.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Deccan Herald
9 hours ago
- Deccan Herald
Aligning with nature's rhythms
Among other things, the show pays homage to modernist sculptor Himmat Shah, leading with his iconic 'Head' from his London series.
Time of India
a day ago
- Time of India
Miss World taps Indian entrepreneur Sudha Reddy as global ambassador to promote humanitarian efforts
Sudha Reddy, Chairperson of the Sudha Reddy Foundation and Director of MEIL, was honoured with the title of Global Ambassador for the Miss World Organisation at the 72nd Miss World Festival finale. This appointment signals a new era for the renowned pageant, marking its inaugural global ambassadorship and recognising Reddy's longstanding and profound commitment to social impact, humanitarian work, and equitable development. As the Global Ambassador for Beauty With A Purpose, the esteemed charitable arm of the Miss World Organisation, Reddy will spearhead global outreach efforts and contribute to global projects in various countries. Her contributions will include promoting vital humanitarian initiatives and highlighting transformative narratives from across the globe, leveraging her extensive experience and influence to amplify the organisation's impact. In addition to this prestigious ambassadorship, Reddy served on the jury for the Miss World 2025 Grand Finale, contributing her expertise and unique global perspective to the selection of the titleholder. Ahead of the culminating event, Reddy organised the Beauty With A Purpose Gala, an assembly of 108 contestants held at her private estate, Mon Amour Palais. The gala's broadcast in Times Square, New York, underscored a transformative juncture for the state of Telangana. Sudha Reddy, who championed Indian craftsmanship and heritage by donning a bespoke Tarun Tahiliani traditional ensemble for the event, shared, 'To the Miss World Organisation, to Julia Morley, and to everyone sharing this evening: Vanakkam. From Hyderabad, the vibrant heart of Telangana, I am deeply touched and profoundly grateful to stand before you. This honour transcends personal achievement; it is a testament to the boundless power of compassion, the unwavering force of love, and the transformative potential of selfless giving – values that resonate deeply within the soul of my home state. Like the intricate designs of a Bidri artwork, my life has been shaped by a profound belief in Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam – the world is one family. This ancient wisdom compels me to extend my hand, my heart, and my resources to those in need, regardless of borders or background. It is with this spirit that I embrace the profound role of a Global Ambassador. My pledge is simple: to channel the spirit of seva into every endeavour. To shine a light on the stories of hope, resilience and unwavering humanity that exist in every corner of our world. To the young people who are the inheritors of this world, and to everyone committed to creating a more just and compassionate future: never underestimate the power of a single act of kindness. Never doubt the ability of love to heal, to unite and to transform. Let compassion be your compass, philanthropy your guide, and love the unwavering force that propels you forward. For in giving, we receive. In loving, we are loved. And in serving others, we truly find ourselves.' Presenting the award to her, Julia Morley, Chairperson and Founder of the Miss World Organisation acknowledged her deep commitment and contribution to the global humanitarian landscape. Sudha Reddy has long been a prominent philanthropist, industrialist and cultural ambassador, notably serving as the director of Megha Engineering & Infrastructures Limited (MEIL), a leading infrastructure conglomerate headquartered in Hyderabad. Under her astute leadership, MEIL not only achieved significant success across various sectors but also consistently prioritised corporate social responsibility. This commitment was demonstrated through extensive community development initiatives and wellness programmes that benefited the Hyderabad region and beyond. Furthermore, Reddy chairs the Sudha Reddy Foundation, a philanthropic organisation with a dedicated focus on critical areas such as education and the empowerment of marginalised groups. The Foundation actively forged impactful partnerships with internationally recognised organisations like UNICEF and the Global Gift Foundation to amplify its reach and effectiveness. Her commitment to global causes was also reflected in her noted appearances at prestigious international events, including the Met Gala, the Paris Olympics, and the Cannes Film Festival, where she often represented Indian culture and philanthropy. The work of the Sudha Reddy Foundation and MEIL Group in Hyderabad has been characterised by a sustained dedication to improving lives and fostering sustainable development within the community. Check out our list of the latest Hindi , English , Tamil , Telugu , Malayalam , and Kannada movies . Don't miss our picks for the best Hindi movies , best Tamil movies, and best Telugu films .
India Today
3 days ago
- India Today
Trailblazing Business Leader Sudha Reddy Leads The Way As Miss World's First Global Ambassador
Trailblazing Business Leader Sudha Reddy leads the way as Miss World's First Global Ambassador. Sudha Reddy, Chairperson of the Sudha Reddy Foundation and Director of MEIL, was honored with the title of Global Ambassador for the Miss World Organization at the 72nd Miss World Festival finale. This appointment signals a new era for the renowned pageant, marking its inaugural global ambassadorship and recognizing Reddy's longstanding and profound commitment to social impact, humanitarian work, and equitable the Global Ambassador for Beauty With A Purpose, the esteemed charitable arm of the Miss World Organization, Reddy will spearhead global outreach efforts and contribute to global projects in various countries. Her contributions will include promoting vital humanitarian initiatives and highlighting transformative narratives from across the globe, leveraging her extensive experience and influence to amplify the organization's addition to this prestigious ambassadorship, Reddy served on the jury for the Miss World 2025 Grand Finale, contributing her expertise and unique global perspective to the selection of the of the culminating event, Reddy organized the Beauty With A Purpose Gala, an assembly of 108 contestants held at her private estate, Mon Amour Palais. The gala's broadcast in Times Square, New York, underscored a transformative juncture for the state of Reddy, who championed Indian craftsmanship and heritage by donning a bespoke Tarun Tahiliani traditional ensemble for the event, shared, 'To the Miss World Organization, to Julia Morley, and to everyone sharing this evening: Vanakkam. From Hyderabad, the vibrant heart of Telangana, I am deeply touched and profoundly grateful to stand before you. This honour transcends personal achievement; it is a testament to the boundless power of compassion, the unwavering force of love, and the transformative potential of selfless giving – values that resonate deeply within the soul of my home state. Like the intricate designs of a Bidri artwork, my life has been shaped by a profound belief in Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam – the world is one family. This ancient wisdom compels me to extend my hand, my heart, and my resources to those in need, regardless of borders or background. It is with this spirit that I embrace the profound role of a Global Ambassador. My pledge is simple: to channel the spirit of seva into every endeavour. To shine a light on the stories of hope, resilience and unwavering humanity that exist in every corner of our world. To the young people who are the inheritors of this world, and to everyone committed to creating a more just and compassionate future: never underestimate the power of a single act of kindness. Never doubt the ability of love to heal, to unite and to transform. Let compassion be your compass, philanthropy your guide, and love the unwavering force that propels you forward. For in giving, we receive. In loving, we are loved. And in serving others, we truly find ourselves.'Presenting the award to her, Julia Morley, Chairperson and Founder of the Miss World Organization, acknowledged her deep commitment and contribution to the global humanitarian Reddy has long been a prominent philanthropist, industrialist and cultural ambassador, notably serving as the director of Megha Engineering & Infrastructures Limited (MEIL), a leading infrastructure conglomerate headquartered in Hyderabad. Under her astute leadership, MEIL not only achieved significant success across various sectors but also consistently prioritized corporate social responsibility. This commitment was demonstrated through extensive community development initiatives and wellness programs that benefited the Hyderabad region and Reddy chairs the Sudha Reddy Foundation, a philanthropic organization with a dedicated focus on critical areas such as education and the empowerment of marginalized groups. The Foundation actively forged impactful partnerships with internationally recognized organizations like UNICEF and the Global Gift Foundation to amplify its reach and effectiveness. Her commitment to global causes was also reflected in her noted appearances at prestigious international events, including the Met Gala, the Paris Olympics, and the Cannes Film Festival, where she often represented Indian culture and philanthropy. The work of the Sudha Reddy Foundation and MEIL Group in Hyderabad has been characterized by a sustained dedication to improving lives and fostering sustainable development within the The material and information contained are for advertorial purposes only. India Today holds no responsibility for the content written on the website as a basis for making any business, legal, or any other decision. Any reliance placed on such material is at your own risk. advertisement
