Toronto’s Anastasia Lin has been crowned Miss World Canada 2015 beating 52 other contenders from all over Canada in an elaborate ceremony held in Queen Elizabeth Theater in Vancouver.
The 25-year-old model and actress triumphed over the crowd-favourite Betty Lu who won People’s Choice Award and Best in Talent.
In the male competition, Jinder Atwal of Terrace, B.C. won the coveted Mister World Canada 2015 prize beating nine other hopefuls. Surrey’s Navid Charkhi placed first runner-up.
Filipino-Canadian Raven Yray of Burnaby made it to the top three followed by Becky of Kitchener, Ontario and Safia Nazarali, of Calgary, Alberta respectively. Kesiah Papasin of Etobicoke, Ontario, another Filipino-Canadian won the Best International Costume award and Photogenic Award. Papasin was a strong contender in the semi-final round. She failed however to make it in the top five.
Ms. Lin wearing a long turquoise embroidered gown was tearful as she accepted the crown from reigning Miss World Canada Annora Bourgeault. She edged out first runner-up Betty Lu in the question and answer portion when she advocated for religious freedom and human rights.
Ms. Lin was born and raised in China and moved to Canada with her mother when she was only 13 years old. She has been outspoken about China’s human rights violations and has appeared in several films with human rights abuses storyline, particularly against Falun Gong.
After winning the crown, reports came out that Lin’s father, who is based in China, is being threatened for revealing China’s human-rights violations. Ironically, the upcoming international competition of the Miss World beauty pageant will be held in Sanya, China. Due to her anti-China leaning, it is not known whether Lin will be issued a visa to enter China for the next international competition.
