Czech Beauty is the new Miss World. Krystyna Pyszkova of the Czech Republic was crowned Miss World 2024 in a grand event held in Mumbai. The reigning Miss World, Karolina Bielawska from Poland, crowned her successor at the star-studded finale.
In addition to pursuing dual degrees in Law and Business Administration, Krystyna also works as a model. She has established the Krystyna Pyszko Foundation and remains actively involved in its initiatives, according to the Miss World website.
Following Pyszkova, Yasmina Zaytoun of Lebanon was named the first runner-up. India, which hosted the event after 28 years, was represented by 22-year-old Sini Shetty. Mumbai-born Shetty, crowned Femina Miss India World in 2022, did not make it to the top 4 of the contest.
India has won the Miss World title six times, with winners including Reita Faria (1966), Aishwarya Rai Bachchan (1994), Diana Hayden (1997), Yukta Mookhey (1999), Priyanka Chopra Jonas (2000), and Manushi Chillar (2017). The 71st Miss World pageant, featuring contestants from 112 countries, was held at the Jio World Convention Centre in BKC, Mumbai.
The finale's 12-judge panel included film producer Sajid Nadiadwala, actors Kriti Sanon and Pooja Hegde, cricketer Harbhajan Singh, news personality Rajat Sharma, social worker Amruta Fadnavis, Vineet Jain (MD of Bennett, Coleman & Co. Limited), Julia Morley (Chairperson and CEO of the Miss World Organization), Jamil Saidi (Strategic Partner & Host – Miss World India), and three former Miss Worlds, including Chillar.
Filmmaker Karan Johar and former Miss World Megan Young hosted the event, which featured performances by singers Shaan, Neha Kakkar, and Tony Kakkar. A video message by Chopra Jonas highlighting the importance of 'beauty with purpose,' a tagline associated with the Miss World pageant, was also played.
The cast of Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s web series "Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar" — Manisha Koirala, Sonakshi Sinha, Aditi Rao Hydari, Richa Chadha, Sharmin Segal, and Sanjeeda Sheikh — walked the stage with 13 fast-track Miss World contestants, showcasing the newly released song “Sakal Ban”. The month-long Miss World event featured various competitions, including talent showcases, sports challenges, and charitable initiatives, aiming to highlight the qualities that make these competitors ambassadors of change.