After an incredible week one at Miss World, the pageant festivities continued with a jam-packed week two!
Day 6: Miss World Talent Round Auditions
Week Two began with excitement and anticipation as all 108 contestants participated in the preliminary auditions for the Talent Round. It was incredible to see the diversity of performances from around the world: everything from traditional dances and instrumental pieces to powerful vocals, with one contestant even performing sound healing!
For my audition, I chose to sing and dance to “Born to Entertain” from the Broadway musical Ruthless!. I wore a tuxedo-style leotard and used large feather fans to give it that playful showgirl energy! (Sorry to Taylor Swift and The Life of A Showgirl, but I beat you to it.)
After the auditions, we enjoyed a relaxing sponsored dinner at our hotel’s restaurant. It was such a nice way to unwind and bond with the other contestants after a full day of performances. I’m so thankful to the Trident Hyderabad for their incredible hospitality and accommodating each of us so well.
Day 7: Exploring Charminar Bazaar & Dinner at Chowmahalla Palace
The next morning, we set off to explore the breathtaking Charminar, one of Hyderabad’s most famous landmarks. The colors, aromas, and sounds of the market were absolutely mesmerizing: a lively mix of culture and craftsmanship. We visited several shops selling beautifully handcrafted artisan bangles, the iconic treasures that make Laad Bazaar world-famous.
Later that evening, we attended a spectacular dinner at the Chowmahalla Palace. The palace’s grandeur was matched only by the incredible buffet that followed. The event brought together pageant sponsors, dignitaries, and inspiring local leaders, including the co-owners of Ramoji Film City (which we would visit later in the week) that were sat at my table. The co-owners mentioned that their daughter was a student at NYU, so while I was visiting India, their own daughter was back in the ole U S of A! The night was filled with conversation and a shared sense of connection that reminded me why I love representing the United States on this global stage.
Day 8: A Spiritual Visit to the Thousand Pillar Temple
Day Eight took us to the Thousand Pillar Temple, one of the most sacred and architecturally stunning sites in Telangana. We were welcomed to experience a traditional ceremony and learned about the deep cultural and Hindu spiritual heritage the temple represents. The intricate carvings and peaceful atmosphere made it a moment of reverence and gratitude amidst our busy schedule. Prior to arriving at the temple, I shared a moment with Miss Venezuela Valeria where we dressed in traditional clothing and were adorned with jewelry and a bindi!
Day 9: Discovering the Experium Eco Park
The following day was one of my favorite excursions, a visit to the Experium Eco Park, a breathtaking art-meets-nature experience. The park featured 150 acres of creative sculptures, immersive art installations, and sustainable landscapes with rare plant species that blended creativity with conservation. Surrounded by the beauty of nature, we got to pose for several photo ops and were even served tea and snacks while sitting on chairs made of trees. Not wood, actual living trees!
Day 10: Miss World Sports Day
Day Ten brought out everyone’s competitive spirit for Miss World Sports Day! Contestants were divided among the continents and competed in a series of athletic challenges. The first round was a “beep” test, where we had to run a circuit and make it back to the starting line before the “beep,” Safe to say, I was quickly eliminated…sports have never been my strong suit, okay!?
Although I was out in the first round, I had a blast cheering on my roommate Emma, Miss Canada, who impressively made it to the final three contestants and held it down for the Americas! The contestants competed in rounds of badminton, shock put, and a timed relay-race. And I enjoyed being an enthusiastic cheerleader!
Day 11: A Cinematic Finale at Ramoji Film City
The week ended with one of the most unforgettable experiences, a visit to Ramoji Film City, the world’s largest film studio complex. Our tour of the sets, including those from the famous Indian epic Baahubali, felt like stepping straight into a Bollywood movie.
Having lived around Hollywood studios in Los Angeles, I couldn’t help but compare to places like Universal and Warner Brothers. But honestly, Ramoji Film City completely blew me away! It was grander and filled with an undeniable opulence unique to Indian cinema.
The evening concluded with a lavish dinner and fireworks show, featuring live music and, my personal favorite…global buffet of cuisines from around the world. It was a picture perfect ending to the second week in Telangana!
