Miss Philippines, Megan Young, snagged the Miss World crown Saturday despite tight Indonesian security at a Bali island resort due to Muslim hardliner groups' protest.
"I promise to be the best Miss World ever," the 23-year-old, newly-crowned Miss World said after the competition, as Filipino fans jumped for joy and waved the country's flag in the audience.
The Chron reported that no rallies were staged outside despite earlier caveats of the Islamic Defenders Front to disrupt the 63rd annual event. The groups reportedly demonstrated for several weeks, asking their government to cancel Miss World since it is an event, where too much skin is displayed, which is against the Islamic teachings.
Syafril Nasution, one of the local organizers said that 127 contestants wore lovely gowns, and many with plunging necklines and slits up the leg during the Saturday contest, adding that four dropped out earlier because of health reasons.
Megan Young was born in the United States, but had moved to the Philippines at 10 to reunite with her family. She has appeared as a mainstream actress and television host for several years now after breaking through stardom by joining a national talent search.
Miss France, 20-year-old Marine Lorphelin, and Miss Ghana, 22-year-old Carranzar Naa Okailey Shooter, came in second and third, respectively.
Previous reports stated that the Miss World organizers have already decided to cut bikinis from the swimsuit competition and simply replace them with conservative sarongs. Despite this, more mainstream groups called for the banning of the event.
Because of the pressure mounted against the competition, the government of Indonesia has decided three weeks ago to move the final round of Miss World from the outskirts of Jakarta to the Hindu-dominated island resort in Bali.
The Australian, British, and the U.S. embassies then issued warnings to people who were planning to go to Bali for the competition on the possibility of large-scale protests, riots, and serious attacks.
Director of Vital Security for Bali provincial police Col. R. Umar Faroq said thousands of police officers had been deployed in the area for security purposes, adding that security in the north coast of East Java to Bali had been tightened in anticipation of possible protests.
"I promise to be the best Miss World ever," Faroq said referencing the upcoming Asia-Pacific Cooperation summit in Bali, which will gather world leaders, including President Barack Obama.
In 2012, the Islamic Defenders Font compelled Lady Gaga to cancel a sold-out show after citizens deemed her a "devil worshipper."
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