Yasmina Zaytoun, first runner-up in the Miss World contest. (Credit: Zaytoun's Instagram account)
BEIRUT — In a ceremony watched by millions of television viewers around the world, the election of this year's most beautiful woman in the world took place in Bombay. Succeeding Poland's Karolina Bielawska, Miss Czech Republic, Krystyna Pyszkova, was crowned Miss World, ahead of first runner-up Miss Lebanon Yasmina Zaytoun.
This is the second time that the Czech Republic has won Miss World. Krystyna Pyszková, 24, is 180 cm tall and is studying business law in Prague.
Originally scheduled for December 2023, the 71st edition of Miss Lebanon has been rescheduled several times, notably due to the COVID-19 pandemic and, more recently, to elections in India. The titleholder, Karolina Bielawska, was elected back in 2021.
On Saturday evening, the suspense was high in Lebanon. Yasmina Zaytoun, resplendent in her three Nicolas Jebran gowns, answered the various questions posed throughout the evening naturally and clearly. While reminding us of the dangers of social networks, she asserted as a finalist the importance of being natural and imperfect, and of being oneself with "all our differences."
Hosted by Karan Johar, director and producer of Indian films (including The Indian Family), and Megan Young, Miss World 2013, who was the first Miss Philippines to be ever elected, the evening saw the 112 participants parade in evening gowns and then in outfits inspired by the traditional Indian sari, designed by a local stylist.
Elimination took place in stages: Top 40, top 12, top 8 and top 4. The four finalists (one from each geographical zone) were then announced: Aché Abrahams (representing Trinidad and Tobago), Lesego Chombo (Miss Botswana) Krystyna Pyszkova Miss Czech Republic) and Yasmina Zaytoun (Miss Lebanon.)
Responding to the final question, "Why do you have to be the next Miss World?", Yasmina told the millions of viewers watching her that "you always have to lift yourself and keep dreaming."
Yasmina Zaytoun in a dress designed by Nicolas Jebran. (Credit: Punit PARANJPE/AFP)
"Thank you Lebanon"
"Living in Lebanon, I've learned to always lift myself," she declared after her qualification in the top 4. "Because even after the worst non-nuclear explosion in history, we were able to carry on and rise again," she continued amid a round of applause at the ceremony, which was broadcast on LBCI. "Thank you Lebanon, for teaching me to be who I am," she concluded.
Originally from Kfar Shuba and a resident of Achrafieh, the 22-year-old had always dreamed of competing for the Miss Lebanon crown. "I didn't take part just for the fun of it, or for the experience, as they say. I put all the chances on my side. I was there to win," she told L'Orient-Le Jour a few weeks after her crowning in 2022. Despite her triumph, Zaytoun, who studies journalism at NDU (Notre Dame University), did not wish to interrupt her studies.
Elected Miss Lebanon on July 24, 2022, Yasmina Zaytoun is an ambassador for the Lebanese Food Bank and the Children's Cancer Center in Lebanon.
"When Yasmina became Miss Lebanon, I worked with her on a cover for Laha magazine," her stylist Omar Abdulghani told L'Orient Today journalist Malek Jadah.
"We became close friends and then I started styling her on and off. Then I became an exclusive stylist for her. For Miss World, we decided to work on a big project to support Lebanese brands. Yasmina wears everything Lebanese, from jewelry, bags and clothes ... and the main dress was designed by Nicholas Jebran," he added.
"I wanted Yasmina to appear [as a young woman, not in an exaggerated way]. Yasmina's style was very approachable and relatable. This projected how humble and beautiful Yasmina is in her simplicity. It complements her personality because Yasmina, in her daily life, is a very simple person. She goes out without makeup; she goes out with her hair tied up and does not mind. This is how she projects herself and this is what made her who she is," he concluded.
On Sunday, the young woman did not immediately return to Lebanon as planned. She flew to Mauritius, where she will spend a few days with the organizers, the new Miss World, Krystyna Pyszkova, Miss Trinidad and Tobago and Miss Botswana.