MANILA, Philippines—The next Miss World should be “genuine.”
Reigning Miss World Megan Young made known her preference for her successor in an interview posted on the Miss World website.
“I hope that the next Miss World, whoever she is, is genuine. It is a competition but her authenticity is what will win the judges over and carry her throughout her reign,” Young said.
Miss World Megan Young
She said being a Miss World title holder is not all about beauty and glamor.
“A lot of it is really behind the scenes and about getting your feet dirty without your heels and without the make-up,” she said.
The 24-year old beauty queen also emphasized patience.
“My advice is to be patient. In this job, patience is a virtue. Also, it is important to always be understanding and nice to everyone you meet. Kindness and compassion will take you a long way,” she said.
On her part, she admitted that she was “at first afraid” when she was crowned the title.
“I thought that I was not going to be able to see my family, as the job of a Miss World is non-stop humanitarian work, and that was something I didn’t know how to come to terms with,” she said.
But she said she was thankful that between travelling around the world and seeing new things, she was able to return home and visit her family.
“That was really helpful as it kept me levelheaded and sane throughout my year,” she said.
She thanked the Filipinos for their support throughout her reign and even before she was crowned as the first ever Miss World from the Philippines.
“The reaction from my country and the support I received was completely out of this world and beyond my wildest imaginations.”
But as she makes her final walk as a Miss world on Monday, December 15, (Philippine Time), she said her reign was full of worthwhile memories.
She said helping in the relief operations after Super Typhoon “Yolanda” devastated the Philippines was one of the highlights of her reign as Miss World.
“I was able to help out my countrymen in ways I never thought possible, because of my Miss World title,” she said.
“I could connect to so many people and inspire and encourage help on such a wide scale and that was a true highlight of my year,” she added.
She said she is excited to host the coronation night in London since she is the first reigning title holder to do the job.
She said it is not her first time to be a presenter of a major event, but she remembered that before being given the opportunity to host Miss World, she wanted to host Miss Philippines or a local show.
“Hosting Miss World, which is watched by billions of people worldwide, is something that I never expected and totally blows my mind away when I think about it,” she said.
“I am the first reigning title holder to be hosting the show so whenever history is being made there certainly is pressure,” she added.
According to her, she hopes that in five years she would be able to do “something big internationally.”
“I love to win an acting award. You have to dream big and have that goal so you can work hard for it,” she said.
The Miss World 2014 will be held at the ICC Auditorium in London on December 15 (Philippine time).
RELATED STORIES