Gorgeous Nazanin crowned world's princess
Dec 8, 2003

North Van's Miss Canada crowned World's princess UBC (University of British Columbia) graduate Nazanin Afshin-Jam takes first runner-up at Miss World By Stuart Hunter

With a global television audience of two billion people watching, a Canadian beauty was crowned yesterday. But all North Vancouver's Nazanin Afshin-Jam, 24, wanted after being named first runner-up in the Miss World competition in the southern Chinese resort city of Sanya was a Krispy Kreme doughnut, said her beaming older sister 'Naz'. "We're really proud of her," said Naz, 29, the elder of the two children of 'Jaleh' and 'Afshin Jam', who flew to China to watch their youngest, nicknamed "Nini," as she scored the highest-ever ranking for a Canadian woman in the Miss World contest. "She accomplished a lot in her life to warrant where she is today. This is one of the best experiences of her life." Miss Ireland, 19-year-old Rosanna Davison -- the daughter of Lady in Red songsmith Chris De Burgh -- won the Miss World crown. Afshin-Jam took second-place honours. China's Guan Qi was third in the field of 106 contestants. Afshin-Jam won the Miss World Canada crown in October in Toronto. Born in Iran, Afshin-Jam fled her homeland with her family after the fall of the shah. Although fiercely proud of her Canadian nationality, the Kitsilano Secondary grad who graduated from the University of B.C. with a double major in international relations and political science, also remains a role model for Persian women. "She's had thousands of e-mails from Persian women from around the world telling her how proud they are of her," Naz said. "They are proud that a Persian woman can speak with such a strong voice." Not only is the five foot seven inch, brown-eyed beauty a model and actor, but Afshin-Jam has pilot licences for powered aircraft and gliders. She also holds the highest rank possible in the Royal Canadian Air Cadets and she speaks four languages -- English, French, Farsi and Spanish. She has training in singing, dance, public speaking and bush survival skills, and lists kayaking, sailing and go-kart racing as her favourite sports. She works with the Red Cross teaching kids about global issues such as poverty and child hunger. And, Naz adds with a laugh, her sister is single. Afshin-Jam is taking a year off from her broadcast journalism studies at the B.C. Institute of Technology to fulfil her role as Miss World Canada. In the future, she hopes to emulate one of her heroes, journalist Christiane Amanpour, as a foreign correspondent.

Afshin-Jam slated to return to B.C. today. And then there's the little matter of that doughnut. "She said she can't wait to have a Krispy Kreme," Naz said. "And she wants to meet Nelson Mandela." The Miss World pageant marked the first time China has hosted an international beauty contest. A $15.5-million tiara-shaped convention hall was built for the event, which China hopes will boost tourism in the palm-dotted resort city on the island province of Hainan. Contest judges included film star Jackie Chan and Sex and the City author Candace Bushnell. There were no disruptions at this year's event, unlike last year, when the contest had to be moved from Nigeria to London after deadly rioting between Muslims and Christians. MISS NINI Nickname: Nini Favourite junk food: Chocolate Lava Cake Favourite colour: Fuchsia Favourite smell: Vanilla Favourite soul food: "Too many choices" Favourite magazine: National Geographic Favourite music: Spanish-Arab fusion Favourite book: Mahatma Gandhi by Mahatma Gandhi Person You Would Most Like to Meet: Nelson Mandela