Miss World.TV
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With a record number of contestants and an innovative new voting system, Miss World 2005 made television history tonight, as the public choose six new Miss World ambassadors and crowned the new Miss World 2005.
Miss World Africa was named as Tanzania; Miss World Americas is Mexico; Miss World Asia Pacific is Korea; Miss World Caribbean is Puerto Rico; Miss World Northern Europe is Iceland, and Miss World Southern Europe is Italy.
A unique panel of nine former Miss Worlds chaired by Miss World Chairman Julia Morley then chose Iceland as overall winner of the contest.
Days of preparations paid off as the contestants went through impressive dance routines with great ease in their gorgeous dresses in front of an anticipated global TV audience of more than two billion in 207 countries.
The show had a strong Chinese flavour with two acts firmly rooted in China’s ancient culture; the first act involving traditional dances, while the second act brought to life the spirit of the peacock in a delicate ballet performance.
This year’s two presenters, UK born Tim Vincent and China’s Angela Chow also received praise from the audience and the contestants for their professionalism and natural sensibility with the girls. Soul singing sensation Alexander O’Neal set the house on fire with two of his classic tracks, becoming an instant hit with the audience at Sanya’s Beauty Crown Theatre, China.
Voting was intense in what is thought to be the World’s largest text vote. In a first this year, people in more than 200 countries were being invited to place votes for their favourite contestants in the finals of Miss World 2005. This set the contest on a roll, with each girl realising the importance of gaining support from the public.
Contestants featured in one of six ‘Vote For Me’ TV specials where invited viewers to cast votes via an individual number for worldwide SMS voting or IVR. The shows gave an opportunity for each contestant to tell a little about themselves and canvas votes. Points were then awarded according to an effective formula which ensured that votes from all countries equated, regardless of the size of population, voting medium or overall number of votes.
