Radiant in a gold and silver gown, she shared with pageant host Steve Harvey she’s been singing “Brown Skin Girl” by Beyoncé, and now she’s the new Miss Universe. Newly crowned, South African, Zozibini Tunzi,26, won the title Sunday night in Atlanta over 89 fellow contestants.
The “passionate activist” is “engaged in the fight against gender based violence.” Tunzi’s social media platform is “changing the narrative around gender stereotypes. She is a proud advocate for natural beauty and encourages women to love themselves the way they are.” Following her win, she posted a heartfelt message on Twitter.
“Tonight a door was opened and I could not be more grateful to have been the one to have walked through it.
May every little girl who witnessed this moment forever believe in the power of her dreams and may they see their faces reflected in mine. I am #MissUniverse2019.”
Tonight a door was opened and I could not be more grateful to have been the one to have walked through it.
May every little girl who witnessed this moment forever believe in the power of her dreams and may they see their faces reflected in mine.
I am #MissUniverse2019. pic.twitter.com/gMkjmVCabo— Zozibini Tunzi (@zozitunzi) December 9, 2019
Madison Anderson (Miss Puerto Rico) and Sofia Aragon (Miss Mexico) won the first runner up, and second runner-up, respectively. All three contestants were asked the following question, “What is the most important thing you should be teaching young girls today?” Tunzi initially responded with one word that was powerful, nonetheless: “leadership.” She then elaborated.
“It’s something that has been lacking in young girls and women for a very long time … because of what society has labeled women to be,” she said.
“I think we are the most powerful beings in 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,” Tunzi continued.
“Nothing is as important as taking up space in the society and cementing yourself.”
Crowned by the 2018 winner, Catriona Gray of the Philippines, and passionate about social issues and current affairs of the world, Tunzi shared in her closing speech, what her world was actually like growing up.
“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 … I think it is time that that stops today, said Tunzi. “I want children to look at me and see my face and I want them to see their faces reflected in mine,”
Congratulations Miss South Africa, Zozibini Tunzi as Miss Universe 2019.
By BSM Team
Feature photo: EPA
