After being postponed for more than a year due to the pandemic, the Miss Universe pageant brought together beauty queens from 74 countries and territories Sunday (May 16) night, at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida.
Ahead of the show, Paula M. Shugart, president of the Miss Universe Organization, explained how the pageant was staying safe amid the pandemic. “We have spent months planning and preparing safety precautions to develop this edition of Miss Universe—one that will be memorable, special and totally innovative,” she said in a statement.
Hosted by Mario Lopez and former Miss Universe Olivia Culpo, who won the crown in 2012, the event also featured a special performance by Luis Fonzi.
The evening saw Miss Mexico, Andrea Meza, take home the Miss Universe crown. Miss Brazil, Julia Gama, was runner-up, with Miss Peru, Janick Maceta, placing third.
Andrea was among the five contestants who were chosen to participate in the question and answer round.
When questioned about how she would’ve handled the pandemic, Andrea responded, via translator, “I believe there is not a perfect way to handle this hard situation such as COVID-19. However, I believe that what I would have done, was create the lockdown even before everything was that big because we lost so many lives and we cannot afford that. We have to take care of our people. That’s why I would have taken care of them since the beginning.”
And, during the final statement, she was also asked to address the topic of the changing beauty standard, where she expressed that beauty goes beyond looks.
“We live in a society that more and more is more advanced and as we have advanced as a society, we have advanced with stereotypes,” Andrea shared, via translator. “Nowadays, beauty is not only the way we look. For me, beauty radiates not only in our spirits, but in our hearts and the way we conduct ourselves. Never permit someone to tell you that you are not valuable.”
Miss Universe 2019, Miss South Africa, Zozibini Tunzi, presented her with the crown. She has previously opened up about passing the crown, saying, in a statement, “I always knew that my reign as Miss Universe would be unlike any other. While it was nothing like what I had imagined my year to be, this year has opened doors for me I could never have imagined. I am so grateful for the opportunity to connect virtually with people all over the world and elevate the causes I care most about.”
Congratulations to the new Miss Universe – Miss Mexico, Andrea Meza!
