When violence erupted in Nigeria during Miss World 2002, it wasn't the first time the international contest found itself in the center of social and political unrest. For more than five decades, the world's oldest beauty pageant has regularly sparked controversy.

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"Miss World's Woes" by Kelly Whalen, a freelance writer and documentary producer based in Oakland, California.

Producer: Angela Morgenstern; Designed by: Susan Harris, Fluent Studios; see full web credits.