Picture Gallery: Miss China Wen Xia Yu is Miss World 2012

Miss China, Wen Xia Yu won the title of Miss World 2012 while Miss Wales Sophie Elizabeth Moulds and Miss Australia Jessica Michelle Kahawaty came second and third respectively. Miss China had to compete with 116 candidates to win the crown.

Miss India Vanya Mishra made it to the list of top 7 finalists, but could not go beyond that.

Miss World contest is watched by over a billion people across the world. Reigning Miss World Ivian Sarcos of Venezuela crowned the winner in the futuristic Ordos stadium, which sits alongside a vast town square devoted to the powerful Mongolian warrior Genghis Khan.

While the charm of the pageant, first held in 1951, has waned in the West, it continues to be an object of interest in Asian countries.

Sweden's Kiki Hakansson was the first Miss World, while Oscar-winning US actress Halle Berry was a finalist in 1986.

Although Vanya could not win the crown, she represented India and Indian culture in the most beautiful manner. While her thoughtful gift for auction was a golden peacock, she actually did a lovely dance on on 'Dil cheez kya hai' wearing an anarkali suit and jhoomar!

Venezuela has produced the most Miss Worlds, with six winners, while India and Britain claim five titles each.

Several contestants amazed the audience with their national costumes!

All Photo Credit: Miss World Official Website

Miss World contest has several preliminary rounds, the winners of these major rounds of the pageant were: Beach Fashion: Miss Wales, Talent Champion: Miss China, Top Model: Miss Sudan, Beauty with a Purpose: Miss India and Social Media Award: Miss India.

Miss World 2012: Vanya Mishra loses the crown to Miss China

Ordos (China): Miss People's Republic of China was crowned Miss World 2012 in a glittering ceremony here.

Vanya Mishra

India’s contender for the much-coveted Miss World 2012 title, Vanya Mishra was amongst the top seven finalists at the global beauty pageant. Vanya won ‘Miss Social Media’ and ‘Beauty with a Purpose’ title and was being touted as one of the probable winner.

The contenders for the ‘Miss Social Media’ round were judged for their social networking skills which are in demand these days to climb the ladder of success.

Vanya was also noted for the work she did with a charity named ‘Muktangan’ which won her fifty points extra, thus making her entry easy amongst the top 7 finalists.

During the final round, the contestants were asked Why they deserved to be the next Miss World. Vanya answered: “I believe that the next Miss World should be a woman with a kind heart and humility, who wherever she goes, makes people feel that she is their own. Somebody who carries simple values in this complex world, somebody who believes in herself. And this is what I believe I am.”

Vanya is currently doing her undergraduate programme in Electrical Engineering and hails from the city of Jalandhar.

There were 116 participating countries this year – the most number of participating countries thus far.

By Zeenews Bureau

Picture Gallery: London Olympics 2012 closing ceremony pictures

The Olympic Stadium is shown during the Closing Ceremony at the 2012 Summer Olympics, Sunday, Aug. 12, 2012, in London.

A general view of Olympic Stadium during the Closing Ceremony at the 2012 Summer Olympics, Sunday, Aug. 12, 2012, in London.

A performer waves a British flag from a representation of St. Stephens' Tower during the Closing Ceremony at the 2012 Summer Olympics, Sunday, Aug. 12, 2012, in London.

Artists perform during the Closing Ceremony at the 2012 Summer Olympics, Sunday, Aug. 12, 2012, in London.

Flag bearers parade during the Closing Ceremony at the 2012 Summer Olympics, Sunday, Aug. 12, 2012, in London.

Performers wave the British flag during the Closing Ceremony at the 2012 Summer Olympics, Sunday, Aug. 12, 2012, in London.

Athletes enter the Olympic Stadium during the Closing Ceremony at the 2012 Summer Olympics, Sunday, Aug. 12, 2012, in London.

Performers dance on a stage set with London landmarks during the Closing Ceremony at the 2012 Summer Olympics, Sunday, Aug. 12, 2012, in London.

The Olympic flame burns as performers fill the stage during the Closing Ceremony at the 2012 Summer Olympics, Sunday, Aug. 12, 2012, in London.

Men's marathon gold medalist Uganda's Stephen Kiprotich, center, is flanked by silver medalist Abel Kirui, of Kenya, left, and bronze medalist Wilson Kipsang Kiprotich, at the 2012 Summer Olympics, Sunday, Aug. 12, 2012, in London.

Do you like this story?

Watch Halkat Jawani: Kareena sizzles in Heroine item song

The makers of Heroine have released the much-awaited item song from the film on Twitter.

Directed by Madhur Bhandarakar, the film starring Kareena Kapoor and Arjun Rampal is creating buzz ever since the project was announced last year at Cannes festival.

The raunchy number was released last evening on Twitter, just a few hours after UTV Motion Pictures, the producers, tweeted exclusive stills of Kareena Kapoor from the film.

The song, choreographed by Ganesh Acharya, has been sung by Sunidhi Chauhan and composed by brothers Salim-Sulaiman.

The movie will release on September 21, which is also Kareena's birthday, and co-stars Arjun Rampal, Randeep Hooda and Divya Dutta.

In the song, Kareena Kapoor is showing off her curves in a colourful ghagra choli and a Manish Malhotra sari.

Heroine, the story of the rise and fall of an actress, is expected to be huge for Kareena's career and might just be what Dirty Picture was for Vidya Balan.

Watch Kareena in Halkat Jawaani song from Heroine: 

Ek Tha Tiger breaks first weekend record

Salman Khan's Ek Tha Tiger is making fresh records with each passing day. Now the film which has garnered about Rs. 59 crore at the box office in 3 days holds the highest ever first weekend collections record in Indian history.

"Ek Tha Tiger made an approx 11.75 Crores on it’s 1st Friday at the box office. After opening a humongous 32.92 Crores and grossing 14.55 Crores on it's 2nd day, Ek Tha Tiger looks pretty steady with  59.22 Crores in it’s pocket," reports Koimoi.com.

The movie might have seen a steady fall in its last two days but one can surely account that to working days not being huge grossing days. However, Ek Tha Tiger has created a new record at the Indian Box Office. In its 1st weekend (i.e. 1st 3 days run) it has grossed about 59 crores which is the highest ever in Indian history. Post Monday, when the fasting season of Ramadan gets over, there is no saying what collections will the movie make," adds the website.

2nd day collections
"After shattering every record possible to shreds Ek Tha Tiger moved to its 2nd day. As per early estimates the movie would have made 16 crores on it’s Day 2 at the Indian Box Office. Ek Tha Tiger had grossed a humongous 32.92 crores on its Day 1 and its total box office collections till date stands at 48.92 crores," reported Koimoi.com.

"The fall was quite expected as Thursday was a working day and not a holiday unlike Wednesday. However, the movie is expected to hit the chords again this weekend. There is no doubt that Ek Tha Tiger will prove to be an all time blockbuster at the box office if it sustains its momentum even for a weekend," added the website.

1st day fever
"#EkThaTiger biz on Wed is humungous, historic. But wait for Eid celebrations. It will create History *again*. Picture abhi baaki hain!" Taran Adarsh wrote.

"The 1st day box office collections of Ek Tha Tiger can be simply termed in one word as 'spectacular'. Something like this has never before happened in Bollywood. The movie made an approx. 30 crores (as per early estimates) on it's Day 1 at the Indian box office. Ek Tha Tiger did not just do good in a few circuits as there is really no circuit where the movie didn't break apart a set record," reports Koimoi.com.

"Ek Tha Tiger has smashed the opening day collections of Hrithik Roshan's Agneepath which had amassed a mammoth 23 crores. The movie also broke the much hyped Shahrukh Khan's Ra.One opening day record of 25 crores. Salman is out to break all the box office records ever set in India," adds the website

CRITICS' TAKE

Mary Elizabeth Winstead wears a flattering black dress to a premiere in South Korea

Twenty-seven year old actress, fame of Final Destination 3, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, looked gorgeous at the premiere of her latest film venture Abraham Lincoln Vampire Hunter, held in South Korea. The actress wore a sleeveless black dress with side cutouts and a small leg slit.

She indeed looked stunning, and wore statement drop earrings, black strappy heels, and carried a matching clutch to complete her look.

Photoshoot: Katy Perry poses for Jake Bailey's new photoshoot

Katy Perry is gorgeous for the Jake Bailey 2012 photoshoot. She is lensed in a series of high profile shots with slicked back hair, sultry smoky eyes, and a natural lip colour.

Katie's signature dramatic lashes are on display, and for other shots, she proudly displays her purple hair with a plum mouth and flawless skin.

Jake Bailey is a celebrity makeup artist who has worked with Angelina Jolie, Olivia Munn, Taylor Swift, among other top stars.

Some Pictures are  Here:

Television actress and occasional wrestler Maria Menounos flaunts the thigh-high split at the WWE Summer Slam Kick-off party

Television actress and occasional wrestler, Maria Menounos was spotted at the WWE Summer Slam Kick-off party, held in Beverley Hills.

The thirty-four year old wore a sleeveless purple dress with a low v-neckline and a thigh-high split. She paired her party look with glittering sandals, matching earrings, and a clutch. Her hair was blow-dried to perfection and she wore minimal makeup.

Picture Gallery: Kate Upton shows off curves in an orange dress at the Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 launch party

The most in curvy blonde right now is Kate Upton. Since her Sports Illustrated appearance she is making all the right connections, and appearing for shoots and adverts that show off her assets well.

Kate Upton was spotted at the Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 launch party, held in New York, where she showed off her curves yet again in a fitted orange mini dress with zip details.

She paired her look with nude orange pumps and had her hair pulled up, and certainly looked gorgeous.

Check it out Some Pictures Here:

Bikini Pictures: Model and Actress Megan Rossee hit the beach and showed off a super toned and lean body in a skimpy two piece gold Bikini

Aspiring model and actress, twenty-five year old Megan Rossee hit the beach and showed off a super toned and lean body in a skimpy two piece gold bikini.

 With a pierced navel and long ombre blonde hair, Megan certainly caught the eye of onlookers.

Megan is Michael Phelp's girlfriend, the most decorated Olympian, with 22 medals in all. They have been dating each other for almost six months now.

Check it Out Some Pictures Here: