Miss World 2010

Beauty queens from around the globe competed at the 60th annual Miss World pageant, held on Saturday, Oct. 30 in Sanya, China. Miss United States, Alexandria Mills, beat out 114 contenders to take the crown, shedding tears as she waves to the crowd.

Mills, who hails from Kentucky, said that the other contestants nicknamed her "KFC" for Kentucky Fried Chicken, which is "Ironic", she said, "because I’m a vegetarian."

Alexandria Mills, Miss United States, is congratulated by 2009 Miss World Kaiane Aldorino from Gibraltar, who is wearing a white Galiano gown.

Former Miss World, Kaiane Aldorino of Gibraltar, crowns winner Miss United States Alexandria Mills. "I believe that this past month has made such and impact on my life, I can only imagine what the next year will bring … I want to help everyone that I possible can," Mills said in her 30-second spotlight speech before being chosen as Miss World.

The top three -- runner-up Miss Botswana Emma Wareus, left, Miss United States Alexandria Mills, and Miss Venezuela Adriana Vasini, who placed third, celebrate at the end of the 60th Miss World pageant.

Miss United States 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.

The top five contestants wait to find out who will win. From left, Miss Venezuela, Miss Botswana, Miss United States, MIss Ireland and Miss China. On her home turf, Miss China Tang Xiao made the crowd go wild when she was announced as a finalist.

Miss Venezuela Adriana Vasini struts in her bright, flowing gown. She placed third in the competition.

Miss Botswana Emma Wareus smiles next to Miss United States as she is announced as the runner-up during the Miss World 2010 finals. Before the winner was crowned, Wareus' roommate was asked to describe her. "She is just what you think, beautiful inside and out," she said.

Miss Puerto Rico Yara Santiago won the title of Beach Beauty before the finals, fast-tracking her to the top 25, but she didn't place in the top seven.

Miss Finland Anne Nurminen, second row on the right, and other contestants wait eagerly to find out the who placed in the top 20. Nurminen did not place.

Miss Italy Giada Pezzaioli smiles in a beautiful, glittery white gown. Pezzaioli, 17, is a high school student and says she was learning Mandarin in preparation for the competition. She made it to the top seven.

Miss Netherlands Desiree Berg shows off her radiant look at the Miss World finals. Berg, 23, a student at University of Amsterdam medical school, speaks four languages and says she wants to start a fertility clinic. She was chosen for the top 25, but did not advance further.

Strutting her stuff in a pink gown, Miss Bolivia Maria Cordova, 24, describes herself as "a sensitive person and a dreamer with great conviction."

Miss Greece Diamanto Gasteratou steals the show with a black studded ball gown. She didn't place in the competition.

Miss Mexico Anabel Sosa stands between Miss Mauritius Dalysha Soorga, left, and Miss Moldova Daria Zaiteva, right. None of them placed in the final rounds for Miss World.

Decked out in a bright red feathery number, Miss Poland Agata Szewiola, 21, dazzles the crowd.

Contestants show off their colorful gowns at the Miss World pageant. Many of them also performed dances from their native countries, wearing traditional grab, during the "Dances of the World" segment.

The Li dancers start off the show, performing with drums and sticks.

The dancers and drummers are Li, and ethnic minority group in China who live mainly on the southern Hainan island.