Ms Universe 2019: Be yourself, be a leader

Miss Universe 2019 Zozibini Tunzi of South Africa is crowned by Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray of the Philippines at Tyler Perry Studios in Atlanta, Georgia, on 8 December 2019. (AFP)

South Africa’s Zozibini Tunzi was crowned Miss Universe Sunday night after excelling through rounds of swimsuit and evening gown struts, questions on social issues and one final chance to explain why she was the right choice.

“I grew up in a world where a woman who looks like me—with my kind of skin and my kind of hair—was never considered to be beautiful,” said the 26-year-old Tunzi, the third South African winner of the pageant, in her final response. “I think it is time that that stops today. I want children to look at me and see my face and I want them to see their faces reflected in mine.”

Earlier, Tunzi said: I think the most important thing that we should be teaching young girls today is leadership. It is something that has been lacking young girls and women for a very long time not because we don’t want to, but because of what society has labeled women to be. I think we are the most powerful beings on the world and that we should be given every opportunity. And that is what we should be teaching these young girls, to take up space. Nothing is important as taking up space in society and cementing yourself.”

The two runners-up were Miss Mexico and Miss Puerto Rico in the competition held at Tyler Perry Studios in Atlanta and hosted by Steve Harvey anew.

Top 3: (from left) Miss Mexico Sofia Aragon, Miss South Africa Zozibini Tunzi and Miss Puerto Rico Madison Anderson (AFP)

“If you do not use your beauty for your life’s mission, it’s just an empty ornament,” Sofía Aragón, representing Mexico, said earlier in the competition.

“Being on the Miss Universe stage is not just a dream,” said Madison Anderson of Puerto Rico. “I believe that I found my mission. It’s a representation of dedication, resilience and perseverance. I do believe my mission is to show the world that magic happens when we refuse to give up because the universe always listens to a stubborn heart.”

Miss Universe made history with Miss Myanmar, Swe Zin Htet, the first openly gay contestant.

Catriona Gray of the Philippines, the 2018 winner, said the past year has been “unforgettable, life-changing and purposeful.”

“We’re getting this amazing platform to voice the things we’re passionate about, the things we care about,” she said in a video. “I always had a voice, but Miss Universe allowed me to amplify it.”

Philippine representative Gazini Ganados, a 23-year-old fashion model from Cebu, made the top 20 as of one five wildcards.

Other semifinalists were from (Africa and Asia-Pacific) Indonesia, Vietnam, Nigeria and Thailand; (Europe) Albania, France, Iceland, Croatia and Portugal; (Americas) Peru, Dominican Republic and USA; and (wildcards regardless of continet) Venezuela, India, Brazil and Colombia.

The top 20 delivered 15-second opening statements each and were trimmed to 10 that included USA, Colombia, Peru, Iceland, France, Indonesia and Thailand.

Thailand and Colombia later made it to the final five. (With a report from CNN)