The first day at Miss World this year kick started in high spirits as the contestants got to know one another. The contestants started the day with a beautiful breakfast while over looking the ocean and its serenity before heading straight to work.

Each country was divided into groups and prepped for registration after which a headshot photoshoot for the Miss World Magazine and rehearsals for Dances of the World took place.

On the morning of 23rd November, 2021 i.e., the second day the organization drew groups for the head-to-head challenge of the competition where 15 groups were drawn of 6 candidates each. Moving ahead, the reigning queen Miss Toni-Ann Sigh of Jamaica was received at the Hyatt Regency Grand Reserve, the official hotel partner for the event this year. The reception was very warm as Julia Morley, the chairperson of Miss World organization was gifted with a key to the city by the Honorable Ángel "Bori" Gonzalez Damudt, Mayor of Rio Grande along with a welcoming present for each of the contestant.

In another fun day at Puerto Rico, the ladies attended a classical concert at the Sala sinfónica Pablo Casals in San Juan and went on a musical journey with an outstanding orchestra performance accompanied by some heart touching storytelling from exemplary artists. Following suit were dance rehearsals of rest of the candidates while Group 1-4 filmed and interviewed for the head-to-head challenge.

On the evening of 26th November, 2021, the contestants dressed elegantly for the thanksgiving dinner and had loads of fun. Hailing from every part of the world, it was the first ever thanksgiving for most of the candidates. The contestants were also given Ashley Lauren gift bags filled with wonderful presents such as swimwear from Tommie Hernandez and makeup from Mirta de Perales Beauty while Fernando Allende and Miss World performed.

Chef Efrain Cruz welcomed Miss World Toni-Ann Singh, Mr World Jack Heslewood, Vanessa Ponce, Stephanie Del Valle and contestant Khadija Omar representing Somalia into the kitchen and helped prepare the delicious thanksgiving dinner and taught them skills now to be applied for years to come.

While the head-to-head challenge continued for Group 5-8, the results for the talent round were declared where 27 countries made past the auditions and Mongolia’s Burte Ujin was announced as the winner and made it straight to the Top 30 of the competition. Amine Storrød of Norway bagged the second position while Japan’s Tamaki Hoshi, Carol Drpic of Chile and Anna Leitch representing Northern Ireland were adjudged as the third, fourth and fifth runner-up respectively.

On 27th November, 2021 the head-to-head challenge for Group 9-12 was held while the organization introduced us to some of the national outfits for the Dances of the World, where each contestant gets to represent their culture through their dance and dresses.

Next up was the initiation of the Beauty with a Purpose challenge, where contestants were grouped and had the opportunity to witness amazing and life changing work done by their colleagues. The belonged to Shudufhadzo Musida of South Africa, Rehema Muthamia of England, Sharon Obara of Kenya, Shree Saini of United States, Tracy Maureen Perez of Philippines and Manasa Varanasi of India.

Among the many eventful days was the lighting of the Christmas tree in the hotel lobby as the contestants joined in on the festive spirit. The evening started with a cocktail party accompanied with live music as another beautiful sun set on the hotel. The contestants also travelled to the stunning Dorado Beach Club and soaked in Puerto Rican sun amidst the picturesque views of the ocean.

In tune with the heart of the Miss World organization, the contestants took part in a tribute to those affected by COVID-19 and painted on masks expressing what unity meant to them. Continuing with the spirit of Beauty with a Purpose, a charity golf event was held at the Dorado Beach Golf Club. The money from the entrees will be donated to several charities and organisations. Out of 24 countries who took participation, Sweden shone through and won the golf day.

The most awaited segment, Top Model competition was hosted on 7th December, 2021 where Cote d’Ivoire’s Olivia Yace was announced as the winner, while Audrey Monkam of Cameroon and Aryam Diaz of Puerto Rico were placed second and third respectively.

And last but not the least the winners of the head-to-head challenge were announced. After a busy couple of weeks interviewing each contestant in this year’s Head-to-Head challenge, the public got to voting for their favourite answers from each group as the winners of each group competed in the Miss World Head-to-Head final in the Capitol building in Puerto Rico.

Alejandra Conde representing Venezuela, Bethania Borba representing Paraguay, Sheymmis Palacios representing Nicaragua, Audrey Monkam representing Cameroon, Namrata Shrestha representing Nepal, Olivia Yacé representing Côte d’Ivoire, Palesa Molefe representing Botswana, Tracy Maureen Perez representing Philippines won the round.

In a recent turn of events, with the grand night just two days away, seven candidates from Miss World 2021 are in isolation after an exposure to Covid-19. The news broke out as Indonesia’s Carla Yules was suspected of being infected from the virus and was quarantined. Carla’s roommate Manasa Varanasi of India has also been isolated for the time being and is awaiting her test results.

Stay tuned for more updates!