Miss World 2025: Delegates speak on global concerns, present views on Telangana culture, welfare

Hyderabad: In a ballroom lined with spotlights and anticipation, 20 women stood not in glittering gowns but in sharp focus. At the 72nd Miss World Festival’s Head-to-Head Challenge Finale, held at Hotel Trident in Hyderabad, the applause was reserved not for appearance but for clarity of thought.

In a world where beauty pageants are often critiqued for outdated optics, this segment flipped the script.

Contestants didn’t walk, they spoke. And what they said offered a mirror to global concerns: climate change, mental health, gender equity and identity in a shifting world. At the end of it all, four voices stood out—from Wales, Turkey, Zambia and Trinidad and Tobago.

The question that set the tone: “What Message Would You Give the World on Women’s Safety in Telangana?”

This wasn’t a softball opener. The Americas and Caribbean group, featuring delegates from Brazil, Suriname, Cayman Islands, Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago, tackled a local yet universal issue.

Miss Guyana, concise and firm, said: “Women belong everywhere, and safety is a right, not a privilege.” She praised Hyderabad as a place where ‘women can live and explore freely.’

But it was Miss Trinidad and Tobago who advanced; her voice resonated beyond polite applause: “Progress and empowerment go hand in hand,” she began.

“India, especially Hyderabad, has embraced this correlation. We cannot succeed when half the population is left behind. Thank you, Telangana, for ensuring women are not left behind.”

In a few sentences, she offered both gratitude and a challenge to the world.

Zambia’s reality check: “Time Doesn’t Measure What I Can Do”

Africa’s segment brought a more personal tone.

When asked how challenges shaped them, contestants opened up. Miss Namibia spoke candidly about anxiety and depression, and her recovery through faith.

Miss Zambia, though, delivered a statement that seemed to echo with long-term intent: “Time does not measure what I can do. It is about passion and purpose.”

Later, asked how she stays authentic in the age of social media, her words were clear: “The world may change, but you don’t have to. Be who you are, and let the world embrace that.”

Authenticity, for her, wasn’t a performance—it was survival.

Miss Wales and the power of education over idealism

When asked what she’d change in her country, Miss Wales didn’t go for lofty dreams. “Education looks different for everyone, but it remains the most powerful tool,” she said.

She spoke about being the first in her family to attend university. Then she added something rare in such settings—cross-cultural humility.

She talked about medical outreach in Uganda and India, and the impact of meeting acid attack survivors in Hyderabad.

“Accessible healthcare and education, that’s the change I’d fight for,” she said.

Turkey’s doctor-turned-delegate speaks on loss and legacy

Miss Turkey is not just a pageant contestant. She’s an oncologist. Her ‘Beauty with a Purpose’ project hit close to home—increasing mammogram awareness in memory of her mother, who died of breast cancer.

But it was her final answer—on preserving cultural identity in a global world—that made judges pause. “Cultural heritage becomes even more important in times of global conflict,” she said.

“Cultural differences are not barriers, but bridges,” she said.

She wasn’t just representing Turkey—she was making the case for diplomacy through culture.

Climate change and the closing call

In the last round, all four winners were asked a single global question: “What is your opinion on climate change?”

Miss Trinidad and Tobago kept it grounded: “When you love something, you protect it. Planting a single tree can bring back birds, reduce stress and rebuild harmony. Small steps build a sustainable future.”

It wasn’t just a metaphor. It was a to-do list.

Presenting Telangana to the world

Finally, the four were asked how they would promote India’s youngest state, Telangana.

Miss Turkey called it a ‘vibrant state of progress,’ citing innovation, healthcare and gender equality.

Miss Wales spoke of warmth: “This is my second visit, and what stands out most is the warmth of the people.” Miss Zambia reflected on cultural authenticity: “Telangana’s people are true to their culture. I received many gifts and stories that reflect their authenticity.”

Miss Trinidad and Tobago closed the segment with a line that may just stick: “My country is known as the land of sunshine— and I want to extend that warmth to Telangana.”

Why it mattered

The Miss World Head-to-Head Challenge has often been described as the ‘debate round’ of pageantry— a space where words matter more than walks. This year, in a city that sits at the crossroads of technology and tradition, it felt particularly relevant.

These finalists didn’t just represent countries—they represented worldviews. And in doing so, they showed that the future of international dialogue may be wearing a sash—and holding a microphone.