Miss South Africa Wins “Miss Universe Pageant” Held At Tyler Perry Studios

Miss South Africa was crown Miss Universe on Sunday in Atlanta after an elaborate presentation of the Miss Universe Pageant which was held at Tyler Perry Studios for the first time. Zozibini Tunzi, 26, finished first ahead of the Puerto Rican and Mexican finalists in the televised event, hosted by Steve Harvey.

During a new segment of the show, Zozibini gave a closing speech where she spoke of wanting to empower young women to feel confident.

“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,” she said in her last 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.”

Her speech received strong applause from the audience.

The new #MissUniverse2019 is… SOUTH AFRICA!!!! 🇿🇦 pic.twitter.com/gRW8vcuT3A — Miss Universe (@MissUniverse) December 9, 2019

The two runners-up for the crown were Miss Mexico and Miss Puerto Rico. For the first time in history, African/American women are holding the top winning spots in the pageant world.