MISS WORLD 2014

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Strauss was among 122 contestants who competed for the coveted title this year. During the ceremony, contestants wore colorful costumes representing their countries and territories and several also took part in a group performance of the hit ballad "You Raise Me Up," made famous by Josh Groban.

After she was crowned, the remaining contestants on stage danced to LMFAO's "Party Rock Anthem." Group member Sky Blu, who wore a fairytale prince-like outfit, performed solo.

"Miss World 2014. Put your hands up, ya'll!" he shouted. "Put those hands up! Oh yeah! We love girls all around the world. All around the world, we love girls. I love ya'll."

PHOTOS: Miss World contestants over the years—includes Halle Berry!

The two runners-up were:

2. Hungary: Edina Kulcsár, a former finalist of the 2009 Miss Plastic Hungary beauty pageant. The contest featured contestants who had plastic surgery and aimed to promote the benefits of cosmetic procedures. 

3. United States: Elizabeth Safrit, who represented North Carolina at the 2014 Miss United States pageant, has a BA in political science from the University of Southern California and has been dancing since she was little.

The other contestants who made it to the top 10 were:

4. Australia: Courtney Thorpe, a marketing student

5. England: Carina Tyrrell, a med student at the prestigious University of Cambridge.

6. Guyana: Rafieya Husain, a business administration student

7. Brazil: Julia Gama, a chemical engineering student

8. Kenya: Idah Nguma, a marketing executive

9. Mexico: Daniela Álvarez Reyes, Miss Mundo Mexico

10. India: Koyal Rana, NGO and director of the Moksha Foundation

People's Choice winner: Thailand: Nonthawan Nonthawan Thongleng, a singer, TV host and model

The ceremony also featured a tribute to Indian actress Aishwarya Rai, Miss World 1994.

READ: 5 Things to know about Rolene Strauss, Miss World 2014

Strauss is the first Miss World titleholder from South Africa in 40 years and the first to win the competition in more than 55 years.

In 1974, Miss United Kingdom Helen Elizabeth Morgan from Wales won the pageant and had to relinquish her crown days after it was discovered that she has a child, which defied competition rules. Miss South Africa at the time, Anneline Kriel, later took her place. The first and last time a competitor from her and Strauss' country was crowned at the annual competition was in 1958, with winner Penelope Anne Coelen

The two runners-up were:

2. Hungary: Edina Kulcsár, a former finalist of the 2009 Miss Plastic Hungary beauty pageant. The contest featured contestants who had plastic surgery and aimed to promote the benefits of cosmetic procedures. 

3. United States: Elizabeth Safrit, who represented North Carolina at the 2014 Miss United States pageant, has a BA in political science from the University of Southern California and has been dancing since she was little.

MISS WORLD 2014: CONTESTANT PLACED IN THE TOP TEN

“My personal mission is to bring more awareness through education on recognizing the EARLY SIGNS of Domestic Violence. I am passionate about the things set before me and ambitious enough to accomplish the task at hand. I thank you all sincerely for your continued support you and please continue to follow my journey to Miss World 2014.“

Rafieya is currently in her third year of university, studying Business Administration. Born in the coastal town of Anna Regina, Rafieya grew up in the capital city Georgetown, before relocating to USA aged 11. Rafieya aspires to become an entrepreneur, and hopes her studies will equip her with the tools necessary to be successful. In her spare time she enjoys practicing archery, cookery and reading, and likes to travel as much as possible, collecting snow globes from all the places she visits. Her favourite book is Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird.

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MISS WORLD 2014: CONTESTANT PLACED IN THE TOP TEN

Rafieya Husain was crowned Miss Guyana World 2014

I’m looking forward to travelling with Rolene, the new Miss World, to visit countries around the globe to support this year’s finalists Beauty with a Purpose fundraising projects.”

In an action packed three weeks since arriving in London the contestants have taken part in the Miss World Challenge Events. These included a sports, top model and beach fashion competition, a talent contest, Beauty with a Purpose and a debate at the Oxford Union.

The live event, broadcast to a global audience of more than one billion was a sell out at ExCel London.

For the first time the pageant has decided to have five Beauty with a Purpose Winners and they are India, Kenya, Brazil, Indonesia and Guyana

The Miss World Organisation announced the top-10 Beauty with a Purpose finalists during the Miss World Charity Gala Dinner, held at the Grosvenor Hotel in London.

According to the pageant's website, the participants are from countries including England, India, Brazil, Indonesia, Kenya, Guyana, Philippines, Bolivia, South Africa and Netherlands.

The top-10 Beauty with a Purpose finalists are from countries including England, India, Brazil, Indonesia, Kenya, Guyana, Philippines, Bolivia, South Africa and

BEFORE THE COMPETITION THIS WAS THE current TOP 10 People's Choice - In Alphabetical

I have reason to believe it's the cleavage that clenched it.

South Africa`s Rolene Strauss wins Miss World 2014 crown...

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan was at the Miss World 2014 ceremony in London with her husband, actor Abhishek Bachchan, and daughter Aaradhya

Actress and former Miss World Aishwarya Rai Bachchan just had her thunder stolen, but is likely not going to be upset about it. Bollywood megastar Amitabh Bachchan, Aishwarya's father-in-law, described his grand-daughter Aaradhya's " pareshaan mudra " (worried expressions) more "aakarshak" (attractive) than the million dollar smile Aishwarya dazzled the crowd with at the just-concluded Miss World 2014 pageant.

Aishwarya, who was honoured at the Miss World 2014 pageant for her charity work, was accompanied on-stage with her husband, actor Abhishek Bachchan, three-year-old daughter Aaradhya and her mother Vrinda Rai. (Also Read: At Miss World Pageant, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan Honoured for Charity Work)

Proud grandfather Big B, however, had eyes only for his little granddaughter, who seemed a little perturbed by having so many eyes on her. Big B wrote on his official Facebook page, "Putr, putr- bahu, putr- beti .. London ke ek Miss World karyakram mein .. bitiya ke chehre ki pareshaan mudra, sabse aakarshak !!."

Mr Bachchan is a doting grandfather, who always has cheerful anecdotes to share about his grandchildren. While in Delhi for an event for a news channel, Big B also updated fans about his daughter Shweta Nanda's children, Agastya and Navya Naveli.