Latest news with #MissWorldCanada


Hans India
26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Hans India
Miss Canada Stands by Miss World Platform as England Names New Contestant After Exit Row
The 72nd edition of the Miss World pageant in Hyderabad has taken a dramatic turn after Miss England, Milla Magee, withdrew from the competition, alleging harassment and raising questions about the pageant's practices. But in the midst of controversy, Miss Canada Emma Morrison, the first Indigenous woman to win Miss World Canada has spoken out in support of the pageant, calling it a 'life-changing' platform that empowers women globally. In an exclusive interaction with The Hans India, Emma Morrison shared her experience,'I think that everybody has their own perspectives on things. And my perspective is that Miss World is the best experience that I've had so far in my life. It has opened many doors for me, not only for myself but for other native girls.' Adding further she said,'I'm the first native woman to win Miss World Canada, but I know I won't be the last. I'm here to open that door for others to walk through. And thanks to Miss World, I'm able to do so and accelerate that mission.' Her statement comes just days after Milla Magee's sudden exit from the pageant on May 16. The 24-year-old cited 'personal and ethical concerns' and claimed she was harassed during her time in Telangana. According to The Sun, she alleged that contestants were expected to wear makeup constantly, stay in ball gowns throughout the day, and even socialize with middle-aged men as a token of appreciation for their financial support. 'I went there to make a difference, but we had to sit like performing monkeys. It's stuck in the past. Morally, I couldn't be a part of it,' Magee was quoted as saying. However, these allegations have since come under scrutiny. Jayesh Ranjan, Special Chief Secretary of Telangana and a senior IAS officer, conducted an official inquiry into the matter. Speaking to the media on Sunday, he said, 'I have completed the enquiry and no evidence was found over Magee's reported allegations.' (Source: PTI) The Miss World Organisation has too has shared an unedited version Magee's videos recorded during her stay in India, in which she can be seen expressing joy and gratitude towards the experience. In a significant development, England has named a new representative, Charlotte Grant, to replace Milla Magee at Miss World 2025. Grant will now carry forward the UK's presence in the global competition. As the event continues in Hyderabad, voices like Emma Morrison's underscore the broader mission of Miss World: to empower young women to lead change through charity, culture, and purpose.


The Hindu
17-05-2025
- Sport
- The Hindu
Miss Estonia bags gold at Miss World 2025 sports challenge in Hyderabad
Miss Estonia Eliise Randmaa scripted history at Gachibowli Stadium in Hyderabad on Saturday by winning gold in the Miss World 2025 Sports Challenge, marking her country's first advance to the next round of the pageant since 1999. Her win has secured her a spot among Europe's top 10 quarter-finalists. The competition featured a series of athletic challenges, including badminton knockouts, shot put, chess, basketball, football penalty shootouts, shuttle runs, and sprints, along with Zumba sessions. Designed to foster both camaraderie and spirited competition, the challenge tested the delegates on multiple fronts, physical fitness, overall health, athletic ability, and a resilient, positive mindset. The silver medal went to Miss World Martinique, Aurélie Joachim, whose performance stood out among her peers. Miss World Canada, Emma Morrison, clinched the bronze, impressing the judges with her command in the badminton tournament. Narrowly missing the podium but leaving a strong impression was Trinidad and Tobago's Anna-Lise Nanton, who finished fourth. The Sports Challenge, one of the key fast-track events at Miss World 2025, featured 108 contestants from across the globe, grouped into four regional teams: Americas and Caribbean, Africa, Europe, and Asia and Oceania. The title of Miss World Sports or Sportswoman is awarded to the top performer in this event. As a fast-track competition, it grants the winner direct entry into the Top 40 quarter-finals, significantly advancing the contestant in the race for the Miss World crown. Cultural welcome The day opened with a cultural welcome and stunning exhibitions from elite Indian athletes. National Games gold medallists Rishabh Ulhas Ghubde and Sanavi Vaibhav Desai showcased the traditional Indian sport of Mallakhamb. They were followed by floor routines from gymnasts Nishka Agarwal and P. Surabhi Prasanna. An artistic yoga performance led by Guru K. Dattatreya and a martial arts display by Manipuri guru Sapam Inaobi Singh added cultural depth to the sporting affair. The audience was also treated to a skating display by Arjuna Awardee Anup Kumar Yama and his 24-member team. The ceremony was inaugurated by Telangana's Tourism Minister Jupally Krishna Rao, who lit the ceremonial torch. BCCI vice-president Rajeev Shukla was the chief guest.


Hindustan Times
15-05-2025
- Hindustan Times
Canada's 1st indigenous Miss World contestant says it's her duty to be voice of her people
Bengaluru/Hyderabad, Miss Canada Emma Morrison, who's in Telangana right now, representing her country at the 72nd Miss World pageant, is happy to let people in on her secret. "Her people" indigenous Mushkegowuk Cree or Swampy Cree people call Canada Turtle Island. The first indigenous Miss Canada, who grew up in a small town with only 1,500 people , said it's her responsibility as Miss World Canada to advocate for indigenous women. In an exclusive interview to PTI Videos, Morrison said she cannot pinpoint an exact moment that she decided to leverage a platform like Miss World for the welfare of her people. "You can say it started when I was a little girl because of the residential school systems and the missing and murdered indigenous women's epidemic. In Canada, we as indigenous peoples, especially women, face a lot of challenges. The discovery of the 215 unmarked graves found at Kamloops Residential School really shaped the way I see the world and my place in it," said Morrison. That her mother, her role model, transformed that place of sorrow into empowerment further propelled her, said Morrison. "I knew that I wanted to transform my beauty with the purpose project into something empowering, but something that connects to my hearts and also indigenous people," she added. With her Beauty With a Purpose project, Reconnecting Through Ribbon Skirts a traditional piece of clothing worn by Indigenous women and two-spirit people Morrison wants to reconnect with her culture, to honour those who are no longer there, and to empower those she can. "The ribbon skirts make us feel empowered and inspire us to reclaim our strength in a country where we still face high challenges," she said. Morrison, who spent over 27 hours to reach India, said her experience so far has been overwhelmingly good. In her Instagram page, she talks about how her trips to 1,000 Pillar Temple Rudreswara Swamy Temple in Hanamakonda and Warangal Fort, which she describes as "sacred sites of hundreds and hundreds of years old", have made her understand the importance of embracing one's culture, all over again. "It's truly inspiring to see how strong and enduring these cultures and traditions are, passed down through generations and still standing with pride," she wrote. Morrison said she is also looking forward to her family joining her in the last week of May. "They are going to love it, and it'll be their first time in India too," she told PTI. Morrison, who was also crowned Miss Teenage World when she was 17, said she has been waiting for almost forever to be here. "I have been crowned Miss World Canada for over two and a half years now, and it feels so surreal that I'm finally here at the Miss World Festival in Hyderabad. In Canada, when one indigenous person wins, we all win. So the support has been absolutely incredible," said Morrison.


16-02-2025
- Entertainment
Prateik Babbar marries Priya Banerjee in intimate ceremony
Mumbai, India – Actor Prateik Babbar has tied the knot with actress Priya Banerjee in a private wedding ceremony. Babbar, son of veteran actor Raj Babbar and the late cinema icon Smita Patil, shared the news on his Instagram handle, posting pictures from the occasion. The couple opted for elegant ivory-coloured ensembles designed by celebrity couturier Tarun Tahiliani. Babbar wore a sherwani and dhoti, complemented by a matching turban, while Banerjee dazzled in an intricately designed fishtail lehenga adorned with crystals, sequins, pearls, and beads. She completed her bridal look with a sheer dupatta and striking green-stoned jewellery. Babbar, known for films such as 'Jaane Tu… Ya Jaane Na, Dum Maaro Dum', and 'Chhichhore', began dating Banerjee in 2022 before the couple became engaged. He was previously married to producer-actor Sanya Sagar, with whom he tied the knot in 2019. However, the pair separated in 2020 and finalised their divorce in 2023. Banerjee, a former Miss World Canada finalist, made her acting debut in the Telugu film Kiss (2013) alongside Adivi Sesh. In addition to his wedding, Babbar has exciting projects lined up, including Salman Khan's upcoming film 'Sikandar' and Lioness, in which he stars alongside Aditi Rao Hydari and Paige Sandhu.