Miss Universe 2021 Winner Is Miss Mexico
The Miss Universe competition was finally held on May 16 at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood.
HOLLYWOOD — Andrea Meza of Mexico has been crowned Miss Universe.
Meza, who has a software engineering degree, beat out out Miss Brazil at the end of the night, screaming Sunday when the announcer shouted “Viva Mexico!”
Previous winner Zozibini Tunzi fit the crown on Meza’s head and waited to make sure it would stay in place as Meza beamed and took her first walk to the front of the stage.
Tunzi, a public relations professional who became the first Black woman from South Africa to win the contest, had held the title since December 2019. Last year’s ceremony was canceled due to the pandemic.
After more than a year delay due to the coronavirus pandemic, the Miss Universe competition was finally held on May 16 at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Fla. It was hosted by Mario Lopez and former Miss Universe Olivia Culpo, who won the crown in 2012, and featured a special performance by Luis Fonsi.
Taking home the ultimate crown this year was Miss Mexico Andrea Meza who wowed the selection community with her beauty and brains.
During the final statement round, Miss Mexico was asked to address the topic of changing beauty standards. “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,” she 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.”
The pageant was hosted by “Access Hollywood’s” Mario Lopez and actor and model Olivia Culpo, the 2012 Miss Universe. It was broadcast live from the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Hollywood in Hollywood, Florida.
Ahead of the pageant, Paula M. Shugart, president of the Miss Universe Organization, stated that they had spent months planning a safe competition that followed similar guidelines as last November’s 2020 Miss USA competition held in Memphis.
