[starttext] Blonde, blue-eyed American teenager Alexandria Mills won the Miss World crown for 2010 on Saturday, defeating more than 100 other hopefuls at a glittering ceremony in southern China.
Mills, an 18-year-old from the southern US state of Kentucky, wept as outgoing Miss World Kaiane Aldorino of Gibraltar placed the tiara on her head and led her to a diamond-shaped throne marking the pageant's 60th anniversary.
The 1.75-metre (5'9") beauty in white, a professional model listed with the Elite Models Agency, waved to the cheering crowd at the 2,000-capacity Beauty Crown Theatre in the resort town of Sanya on Hainan island.
During the two-hour competition, which annually draws a global television audience of about one billion, Mills said her month spent touring China with the other 114 Miss World hopefuls had made a 'big impact' on her life.
Botswana's Emma Wareus was second, and Venezuela's Adriana Vasini placed third in the pageant, which was first held in 1951.
The pageant got off to a colourful start with a performance by dancers and drummers from China's Li ethnic minority group, who mainly live on Hainan island, which was hosting the event for the fifth time in eight years.
Before the contestants showcased their national costumes for the 'Dances of the World' segment, viewers were treated to a video montage of the women's whirlwind tour of China, from the Great Wall to the shopping malls.
Early favourite Mariann Birkedal of Norway, listed by British bookmaker William Hill as the woman to beat Mills, finished in the top seven.
Alexandria Mills of the US celebrates as she crowned as the 2010 Miss World during the Miss World 2010 Beauty Pageant finals at the Beauty Crown Theatre in the southern Chinese resort town of Sanya on October 30, 2010. Miss United States, was crowned Miss World 2010, ahead of Botswana's Emma Wareus and Venezuela's Adriana Vasini at the beauty pageant.
Alexandria Mills of the US cries after being crowned winner of the 2010 Miss World pageant at the Beauty Crown Cultural Center in Sanya, in southern China's island province Hainan, Saturday, Oct. 30, 2010.
Miss U.S.A. Alexandria Mills, front, is crowned by the 59th Miss World Kaiane Aldorino after winning the 2010 Miss World pageant contest at the Beauty Crown Cultural Center in Sanya, in southern China's island province Hainan, Saturday, Oct. 30, 2010.
Alexandria Mills of the US (R) is congratulated by 2009 Miss World Kaiane Aldorino from Gibraltar as she is announced as the 2010 Miss World during the Miss World 2010 Beauty Pageant finals at the Beauty Crown Theatre in the southern Chinese resort town of Sanya on October 30, 2010. Miss United States, was crowned Miss World 2010, ahead of Botswana's Emma Wareus and Venezuela's Adriana Vasini at the beauty pageant.
Alexandria Mills of the US, front center, reacts after being crowned as winner of the 2010 Miss World pageant contest at the Beauty Crown Cultural Center in Sanya, in southern China's island province Hainan, Saturday, Oct. 30, 2010.
Alexandria Mills of the US, front center, reacts after being crowned as winner of the 2010 Miss World pageant contest at the Beauty Crown Cultural Center in Sanya, in southern China's island province Hainan, Saturday, Oct. 30, 2010.
Miss Botswana Emma Wareus, right, gestures beside Alexandria Mills of U.S.A. , left, after being announced 2nd place at 2010 Miss World pageant contest at the Beauty Crown Cultural Center in Sanya, in southern China's island province Hainan, Saturday, Oct. 30, 2010.
Miss Botswana Emma Wareus competes during the Miss World 2010 Beauty Pageant finals at the Beauty Crown Theatre in the southern Chinese resort town of Sanya on October 30, 2010. Miss United States, was crowned Miss World 2010, Botswana's Emma Wareus was second, and Venezuela's Adriana Vasini placed third.
Miss Venezuela Adriana Vasini competes during the Miss World 2010 Beauty Pageant finals at the Beauty Crown Theatre in the southern Chinese resort town of Sanya on October 30, 2010. Miss United States, was crowned Miss World 2010, Botswana's Emma Wareus was second, and Venezuela's Adriana Vasini placed third.
Miss Botswana Emma Wareus (R) smiles next to Miss United States as she is announced as the runner-up during the Miss World 2010 Beauty Pageant finals at the Beauty Crown Theatre in the southern Chinese resort town of Sanya on October 30, 2010. Miss United States, was crowned Miss World 2010, Botswana's Emma Wareus was second, and Venezuela's Adriana Vasini placed third.
Alexandria Mills of U.S.A. , center, holds hands with Miss Botswana Emma Wareus, left, and Miss Venezuela Adriana Vasini, after crowned as winner of the 2010 Miss World pageant contest at the Beauty Crown Cultural Center in Sanya, in southern China's island province Hainan, Saturday, Oct. 30, 2010.
Alexandria Mills of the US celebrates as she crowned as the 2010 Miss World during the Miss World 2010 Beauty Pageant finals at the Beauty Crown Theatre in the southern Chinese resort town of Sanya on October 30, 2010. Miss United States, was crowned Miss World 2010, ahead of Botswana's Emma Wareus and Venezuela's Adriana Vasini at the beauty pageant.
Miss Botswana Emma Wareus walks to the stage center after being announced 2nd place at 2010 Miss World pageant contest at the Beauty Crown Cultural Center in Sanya, in southern China's island province Hainan, Saturday, Oct. 30, 2010.
Alexandria Mills of the US celebrates as she crowned as the 2010 Miss World during the Miss World 2010 Beauty Pageant finals at the Beauty Crown Theatre in the southern Chinese resort town of Sanya on October 30, 2010. Miss United States, was crowned Miss World 2010, ahead of Botswana's Emma Wareus and Venezuela's Adriana Vasini at the beauty pageant.
Miss Venezuela Adriana Vasini walks to the stage center after being announced 3rd place at 2010 Miss World pageant contest at the Beauty Crown Cultural Center in Sanya, in southern China's island province Hainan, Saturday, Oct. 30, 2010.
Alexandria Mills of U.S.A. gestures after being crowned winner of the 2010 Miss World pageant contest at the Beauty Crown Cultural Center in Sanya, in southern China's island province Hainan, Saturday, Oct. 30, 2010.
Miss Venezuela Adriana Vasini (front) smiles as she is announced the third placed winner during the Miss World 2010 Beauty Pageant finals at the Beauty Crown Theatre in the southern Chinese resort town of Sanya on October 30, 2010. Miss United States, was crowned Miss World 2010, Botswana's Emma Wareus was second, and Venezuela's Adriana Vasini placed third.
Alexandria Mills of U.S.A. , front center, gestures after being crowned winner of the 2010 Miss World pageant contest at the Beauty Crown Cultural Center in Sanya, in southern China's island province Hainan, Saturday, Oct. 30, 2010.
Miss USA Alexandria Mills, right, Miss Ireland Emma Waldron, center, and Miss China Tang Xiao, left, hold hands while waiting for the announcement of the winner of the 2010 Miss World pageant contest at the Beauty Crown Cultural Center in Sanya, in southern China's island province Hainan, Saturday, Oct. 30, 2010.
Alexandria Mills of the US (C) performs with other contestants during the Miss World 2010 Beauty Pageant finals at the Beauty Crown Theatre in the southern Chinese resort town of Sanya on October 30, 2010. Miss United States, was crowned Miss World 2010, Botswana's Emma Wareus was second, and Venezuela's Adriana Vasini placed third.
Miss Venezuela Adriana Vasini is announced as the third place during the Miss World 2010 Beauty Pageant finals at the Beauty Crown Theatre in the southern Chinese resort town of Sanya on October 30, 2010. Miss United States, was crowned Miss World 2010, Botswana's Emma Wareus was second, and Venezuela's Adriana Vasini placed third.
Miss Norway Mariann Birkedal competes during the Miss World 2010 Beauty Pageant finals at the Beauty Crown Theatre in the southern Chinese resort town of Sanya on October 30, 2010. Miss United States, was crowned Miss World 2010, Botswana's Emma Wareus was second, and Venezuela's Adriana Vasini placed third.
Miss Kenya Natasha Metto competes during the Miss World 2010 Beauty Pageant finals at the Beauty Crown Theatre in the southern Chinese resort town of Sanya on October 30, 2010. Miss United States, was crowned Miss World 2010, Botswana's Emma Wareus was second, and Venezuela's Adriana Vasini placed third.
Alexandria Mills from the United States, right, Emma Wareus from Botswana, center, and Adriana Vasini from Venezuela, left, applaud as Emma Waldron from Ireland, front, walks up the stage as the top five finalists are announced during the 2010 Miss World pageant contest at the Beauty Crown Cultural Center in Sanya, in southern China's island province Hainan, Saturday, Oct. 30, 2010. Alexandria, a soft-spoken 18-year-old, was named the winner in Saturday night's contest in southern China.
Alexandria Mills from the United States speaks during the 2010 Miss World pageant contest at the Beauty Crown Cultural Center in Sanya, in southern China's island province Hainan, Saturday, Oct. 30, 2010. Alexandria, a soft-spoken 18-year-old, was named the winner in Saturday night's contest in southern China.
Contestants wait for the final announcement of the winner at 2010 Miss World beauty pageant at the Beauty Crown Cultural Center in Sanya, in southern China's island province Hainan, Saturday, Oct. 30, 2010. Alexandria Mills, a soft-spoken 18-year-old, was named the winner in Saturday night's contest in southern China.
Miss France Virginie Dechenaud competes in the Miss World 2010 Beauty Pageant finals at the Beauty Crown Theatre in the southern Chinese resort town of Sanya on October 30, 2010. Miss United States, was crowned Miss World 2010, Botswana's Emma Wareus was second, and Venezuela's Adriana Vasini placed third.
Miss China Tang Xiao competes during the Miss World 2010 Beauty Pageant finals at the Beauty Crown Theatre in the southern Chinese resort town of Sanya on October 30, 2010. Miss United States, was crowned Miss World 2010, Botswana's Emma Wareus was second, and Venezuela's Adriana Vasini placed third.
Contestants stand waiting for the announcement of winners at 2010 Miss World beauty pageant at the Beauty Crown Cultural Center in Sanya, in southern China's island province Hainan, Saturday, Oct. 30, 2010.
Alexandria Mills of U.S.A. walks on the stage during 2010 Miss World pageant final at the Beauty Crown Cultural Center in Sanya, in southern China's island province Hainan, Saturday, Oct. 30, 2010.
Miss Puerto Rico Yara Santiago stands on the stage during the 2010 Miss World pageant final at the Beauty Crown Cultural Center in Sanya, in southern China's island province Hainan, Saturday, Oct. 30, 2010.
Miss USA Alexandria Mills, right, Miss Ireland Emma Waldron, center, and Miss China Tang Xiao, left, hold hands while waiting for the announcement of the winner of the 2010 Miss World pageant contest at the Beauty Crown Cultural Center in Sanya, in southern China's island province Hainan, Saturday, Oct. 30, 2010.
Alexandria Mills of U.S.A. touches her crown after winning the 2010 Miss World pageant at the Beauty Crown Cultural Center in Sanya, in southern China's island province Hainan, Saturday, Oct. 30, 2010.
Contestants take part in the Miss World 2010 Beauty Pageant finals at the Beauty Crown Theatre in the southern Chinese resort town of Sanya on October 30, 2010. Miss United States, was crowned Miss World 2010, Botswana's Emma Wareus was second, and Venezuela's Adriana Vasini placed third.
Miss U.S.A. Alexandria Mills, center, Miss Venezuela Adriana Vasini, left, Miss Botswana Emma Wareus, second left, Miss Ireland Emma Waldron, second right, and Miss China Tang Xiao, right, stand together as the five finalists during the 2010 Miss World pageant contest at the Beauty Crown Cultural Center in Sanya, in southern China's island province Hainan, Saturday, Oct. 30, 2010.
Alexandria Mills of the US celebrates as she crowned as the 2010 Miss World during the Miss World 2010 Beauty Pageant finals at the Beauty Crown Theatre in the southern Chinese resort town of Sanya on October 30, 2010. Miss United States, was crowned Miss World 2010, Botswana's Emma Wareus was second, and Venezuela's Adriana Vasini placed third.
Crowing glory: Miss America Alexandria Mills was named the winner of Miss World at Saturday night's contest in southern China
Alexandria Mills, a soft-spoken 18-year-old American, was named the winner of the Miss World contest tonight.
The blonde Southern belle was a relative surprise winner after speculation focused on other contestants.
Second place went to Emma Wareus of Botswana, and Adriana Vasini of Venezuela came third.
Thrilled: The 18-year-old calls Louisville, Kentucky, her hometown, and she recently graduated from high school
Tears: The blonde was overcome with emotion after the announcement
The event was held in China this year, with the host country's own contestant, Tang Xiao, among the final five.
According to a brief biography on the Miss World website, Mills calls Louisville, Kentucky, her hometown, and she recently graduated from high school. She would like to become a teacher.
'I've never met a stranger and enjoy meeting new people,' she says in the bio. For the final, she was wearing a shimmering ivory-colored dress slit up the leg.
Runners up: Miss Botswana Emma Wareus and Miss Venezuela Adriana Vasini came second and third
Mills takes over the title from Kaiane Aldorino of Gibraltar, who was named Miss World 2009 at a ceremony in South Africa last December.
Women from more than 100 countries participated in the contest, organizers said. This is the 60th year of the Miss World Competition, and organizers brought back contestants from past decades to give the night a retrospective theme
Frock stars: Women from more than 100 countries participated in the contest, now in its 60th year
Miss United States, Alexandria Mills, won the Miss World crown for 2010 on Saturday, defeating more than 100 other hopefuls at a glittering ceremony in southern China.
The blonde Mills, 18, wept as outgoing Miss World Kaiane Aldorino of Gibraltar placed the tiara on her head and led her to a diamond-shaped throne, in honour of the pageant's 60th anniversary.
Botswana's Emma Wareus was second, and Venezuela's Adriana Vasini placed third in the competition, held in the Chinese resort town of Sanya on Hainan island.
Blonde, blue-eyed American teenager Alexandria Mills won the Miss World crown for 2010 on Saturday, defeating more than 100 other hopefuls at a glittering ceremony in southern China. 
