LONDON – Teenage pop sensation Donel Mangena has landed the biggest gig of his career: opening the 68th Miss World Final.
Donel, who burst out of the British talent TV show, The Voice, is already in Sanya, China, which hosts the finals of the beauty pageant on Saturday.
The 17-year-old, who is guaranteed a worldwide audience, follows in the footsteps of other great performers who have graced the stage at the Miss World final including Lionel Richie, Boyzone, Alexander O’Neill, Westlife, Duncan James, McFly, Shane Ward, Diversity, Matt Cardle and The Vamps.
He said: “I’m so excited to be here with Miss World in Sanya because it is my first time here and I’ve always wanted to come to China. Performing at the final is a chance to inspire everyone who knows me and looks up to me.
“The contestants do such great work for their countries as part of Beauty With A Purpose and hearing their stories makes me want to give something back. My motto is work hard, pray hard and dream big and that is really what Miss World is all about.”
Born to Zimbabwean parents, Donel was coached on The Voice by singer will.i.am and finished as runner-up. His single, Bang Like a Drum, which he will be performing on the Miss World Stage has received more than 2.4 million streams on Spotify and over one million views on YouTube.
The Miss World final takes place in Sanya, China, on Saturday, December 8.
Miss World is franchised in 140 countries. The current Miss World Manushi Chhillar of India was crowned on November 18, 2017, in Sanya, China.
