Miss Barbados, Natalie Olivia Griffith, secured a spot in Miss World semi-finals as she bested 18 contestants for Miss Talent.

Barbados together with Cayman Island, Indonesia, Northern Ireland and Portugal each performed a song number while the rest danced and/or played musical instruments.

The Top 19 took centre stage and performed live in front of an audience that included 200 school children from Soweto at the Sandton Convention Centre, South Africa. They are:

Austria
Barbados
Cayman Islands
Chinese Taipei
Croatia
Denmark
Gibraltar
Indonesia
Ireland
Kazakhstan
Lithuania
Malaysia
Martinique
Mexico
Nigeria
Northern Ireland
Portugal
South Africa
Ukraine

Placing second to Barbados was Kathrin Krahfuss from Austria and third was Iryna Zhuravska from Ukraine, who by the way, is one of the heavy favorites to win the crown.

Meanwhile, four finalists were selected for the Beauty with a Purpose fast-track event. They are:

Szilvia Freire of Hungary for working with the NEM ADOM FEL Foundation, dedicated to the awareness that handicapped and disabled people are of value to our society, and to make these individuals feel accepted.

Ruth Kinuthia of Kenya for working with a school in the slums of Nairobi mainly for students who have been orphaned by HIV AIDS, helping raise funds for the sustenance of the school, as well as being a role model for students.

Anagabriela Espinoza of Mexico for assisting the Casa Hogar of Jilotepec, “Ayuda y Solidaridad con las Niñas de la Calle”, which means help and solidarity with the girls from the streets. Anagaby created a dynamic event called “Pass the Crown” where she would ask the girls about their best quality, and then put a tiara on their heads because of it.

Gabrielle Walcott of Trinidad and Tobago for working with the Just Because Foundation dedicated to create hospitable conditions for children with cancer. Gabrielle helped raise about $100,000 in Charity for the creation of a new ward for these children.

The winner for Beauty with a Purpose, and the last fast-track event which is the People’s Choice, will be announced during the live telecast on Saturday, December 13, 2008.

You can still vote for our very own Danielle Castaño in the People’s Choice and secure her a spot in the semi-finals. To vote, click here.

Here are the current Top 10 in the Miss World People’s Choice Fast-Track Event:

Vietnam 24.5%
Puerto Rico 15%
India 11.5%
Venezuela 10%
Philippines 9.5%
Thailand 7.5%
South Africa 7%
Russia 5.5%
Indonesia 4%
Ukraine 3%
Mexico 1.5%
Spain 1%

Source: Miss World Official Website