Alexandria Mills has been named Miss World 2010, despite entering the pageant as an underdog. Emma Wareus of Botswana won second place and Venezuela’s Adriana Vasini placed third in the competition held today in Sanya, China. Here’s something we as parents can appreciate: Alexandria, who is only 18 years old, hopes to become a teacher so that she can help children prepare for their future.
Alexandria is from Kentucky, and she was not the favorite coming into the competition – Miss Norway, who did not place in the top three, was. Mills just graduated from high school a few months ago, and she enjoys playing percussion and the french horn.
Mills, an 18-year-old from the southern US state of Kentucky, wept as outgoing Miss World Kaiane Aldorino of Gibraltar placed the tiara on her head and led her to a diamond-shaped throne marking the pageant's 60th anniversary.
The 1.75-metre (5'9") beauty in white -- a professional model listed with the Elite Models agency -- waved to the cheering crowd at the 2,000-capacity Beauty Crown Theatre in the resort town of Sanya on Hainan island.
During the two-hour competition, which annually draws a global television audience of about one billion, Mills said her month spent touring China with the other 114 Miss World hopefuls had made a "big impact" on her life.
Botswana's Emma Wareus was second, and Venezuela's Adriana Vasini placed third in the pageant, which was first held in 1951.
“I intend to travel the world and pursue a career in landscape and architectural photography while study at college for a degree in photography”, said Mills coming into Saturday’s competition. Mills showed off an incredible body; she told news that her shape is the result of being a vegetarian since a young age. And with her beauty outside, news reports commented about Mills’ positive energy. Mills adds that she is “positive, spontaneous, open minded and outgoing person. I’ve never met a stranger and enjoy meeting new people.”
“The best things in life are worth waiting for, fighting for, believing in, and just never letting go of”, says Mills. In winning tonight, she was joined by previous year winners for the special 60th year telecast. The country’s entree, Tang Xiao, finished fifth.