• By James Kuanal
  • Mon, 09 Dec 2019 10:39 AM (IST)
  • Source:JND

New Delhi | Jagran Entertainment Desk: South Africa's Zozibini Tunzi has been crowned as the Miss Universe 2019. She won the top honour after defeating 90 models from across several countries. For India, Lucknow's Vartika Singh had participated in this years' edition for Miss Universe 2019. Though she failed to reach in top 20, she won several hearts.

The 26-year-old Zozibini is from Tsolo, South Africa and she is quite active in the fight against gender-based violence. Her social media bio describes her as a social media campaigner towards changing narratives around gender stereotypes. She is a proud advocate of natural beauty and encourages women to be themselves. Zozibini is the second winner of Miss Universe title from South Africa after Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters in 2017. 

The crown ceremony was held at Tyler Perry Studios in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday. The 2019 Miss Universe pageant had 90 contestants who competed in swimsuits, evening gowns, and on-stage question rounds. Apart from South Africa, the top five contenders included Mexico, Colombia, Puerto Rico and Thailand. Zozibini and Miss Universe Rico Madison Anderson were the top two contestants.

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The event was hosted by American business and entertainer Steve Harvey while fashion influencer Olivia Cuplo, TV personality Vanessa Lachey and served as backstage correspondents.

Zozibini inherited the crown from last year's winner Catriona Gray, who took to the stage towards the end of the night to announce her successor. The event witnessed musical performances by Ally Brooke and 'Fifth Harmony' members. American signers Normani Kordei and Camila Cabello also performed their hit songs on the stage.

After Zozini won the pageant, Oprah Winfrey tweeted to congratulate her. "Congratulations Miss South Africa, the new Miss Universe @zozitunzi! Agree with you...leadership is the most powerful thing we should be teaching young women today. We welcome your visit to #OWLAG, our Leadership Academy for Girls (sic)," she wrote.