Kaiane Aldorino crowned Miss World
JOHANNESBURG: Kaiane Aldorino from Gibraltar was named the new Miss World at a glittering two-hour pageant on December 12 at Midrand, north of Johannesburg, that put South Africa in the spotlight and featured traditional dancers and drummers.
The leggy brunette, dressed in white-lace evening gown, was crowned as silver confetti rained down onstage around her. She clapped her hands to her mouth when her name was announced.
“Thank you South Africa, this is the most wonderful moment of my life,” said a tearful Aldorino, a 22-year-old human resources clerk from the British territory on the tip
of the Iberian Peninsula was
a crowd favourite after winning the swimsuit competition.
She joined seven other contestants in the final round of the show. The loudest cheers were reserved for Miss South Africa, Tatum Keshwar who was the second runner-up. First runner-up was Miss Mexico, Perla Beltran Acosta. Aldorino did not give an indication of what her immediate plans were now that she had won the prestigious title. “I will try to do the best that I can now that I have opportunity and advantage,” she said in a brief interview with The Associated Press after the event.
Gibraltar, known as The Rock, is a quirky, multicultural British outpost of 30,000 people, most of whom speak perfect Spanish and even own property along Spain’s southern Mediterranean coast. Wearing her crown of tiny jewelled blue flowers, Aldorino said she had been impressed with South Africa, which was hosting its seventh Miss World final.
The 112 contestants were welcomed at the start by Zulu dancers and the ululating African female performers. There were clips from the finalists time in South Africa —showing the beauties cuddling cheetahs and lions, on pristine white beaches and
even playing soccer.
