Queenly duties
Miss World doesn't just want world peace, she's doing something about it
Whenever I hear of beauty queens I am immediately reminded of Sandra Bullock in Miss Congeniality. Remember the scene when each contestant is asked, "What is the one most important thing society needs?"
Each contestant chirpily answers "World peace!" However, Sandra Bullock (as Gracie Hart) stuns the audience by saying: "Harsher punishment for parole violators". She quickly fixes her mistake by saying "world peace", and only then does the crowd cheer.
More to the eye
Beauty queens are often classified as being simply pretty things to look at. They memorise a few lines to pass a pageant, glue on a smile and show up in different parts of the world to basically wave and smile some more.
So I was shocked to find out at that the Miss World beauty queens have done more for the world than many of us. They haven't managed to bring about world peace just yet, but they have raised more than $400 million (Dh1.4 billion) for different charities worldwide.
The reigning Miss World, Tatana Kucharova, turned heads at the Travel Awards cocktail party with her silky blond hair, a perfect smile and a waist that looked no wider than six inches (just kidding). But don't let her tall blonde looks deceive you. While she looks like she could be snapped into two, Tatana has raised more than $6 million (Dh22 million) for charity. She is truly a beauty with a purpose.
What have you been doing since you were crowned Miss World 2006?
A lot! I've been travelling around the world supporting charities, taking part in many events and meeting important people.
Is there a charity that is particularly close to your heart?
A lot of people need help. There are many orphans, people in need, starvation, and poverty and so on. But I am touched the most by children in need. I'd like to do everything to help them.
What next after you relinquish your Miss World crown?
I have a lot of plans. I am interested in going into modelling. I would also like to keep up my charity work and continue travelling.
Why do you think you were crowned Miss World over more than a hundred contestants?
I guess that judges would know better. But before the finals, we spent a whole month with the judges in Poland. They may have seen that my character was strong, that I am a professional and have strong language skills. Because it isn't just about beauty, you know. Everybody can be beautiful. It's personality too.
Do you have any advice for aspiring Miss Worlds?
I'd tell them to be themselves, be natural and be nice. Don't let anyone or anything push you into being someone you are not.
Abu Dhabi is the best
James A. Khan, global sales & marketing director, World Travel Awards, on bringing the Middle East and Africa leg of the awards to Abu Dhabi:
"Last year, the world's leading new destination award was won by Abu Dhabi. For the last three years, Etihad Airways has been the winner of the world's best new airline award. Emirates Palace won the world's leading new resort and the world's leading conference hotel last year.
"It was naturally befitting for us to be in Abu Dhabi because it's a city that is home to three world winners — airline, destination and hotel."
Did you know?
- Tatana Kucharova was born in Trnava, Slovakia. She grew up in the Czech Republic.
- She is the first Miss World to hail from the Czech Republic.
- She graduated from high school two days before attending the Travel Awards in Abu Dhabi last week.
- She plans to go on to study international relations and wants to be a model.
- She likes tennis and horse riding and has many pets, including a turtle, a bird, many cats, rabbits and guinea pigs.
- She is 177cm tall.
- Her favourite food is chicken.
- Her motto is "Always be an optimist".
