Do you know that Miss Mexico won Miss Universe Pageant 2021, and Miss India, Myanmar and Singapore stole the show?
The 2021 Miss Universe pageant has been completed with Miss Mexico Andrea Meza being crowned as the winner of the 74 women who competed in the competition. This annual show which was delayed last year due to the ongoing coronavirus endemic, made a comeback on May 16th to crown their new winner. The 26-year-old Mexican, who had previously won the Miss Mexico title in 2019, took home the crown to edge out Miss Brazil Julia Gama and second runner-up, Miss Peru Janick Maceta Del Castillo. Zozibini Tunzi, the first Black woman from South Africa to win Miss Universe, held this crown from 2019 right until now.
Soon after the win, Meza posted on her Instagram account "MÉXICO ESTO ES PARA TI," which translates to "Mexico this is for you," alongside a video of her after the win was announced. On her victory, she said in a news release published by the Miss Universe Organization that "I am so honored to have been selected among the 73 other amazing women I stood with tonight," She further also added, "It is a dream come true to wear the Miss Universe crown, and I hope to serve the world through my advocacy for equality in the year to come and beyond."
With some tough competition provided by Myanmar, Brazil, and India, winning the title was not easy for Meza. However, it was her winning answer that made her the new Miss Universe. She did so by commenting that "We live in a society that more and more is more than advanced, and as we advance as a society, we've also advanced with stereotypes," She further continued, "Nowadays beauty isn't only the way we look. For me, beauty radiates not only in our spirit but also in our hearts and how we conduct ourselves. Never permit someone to tell you that you're not valuable."
According to Miss Universe Organization's news release, Meza, who hails from Chihuahua City in Mexico, is a model and make-up artist and has a degree in software engineering. In addition, she is also an activist and "works closely with the Municipal Institute for Women, which aims to end gender-based violence.
Apart from Mexico, contestants who belonged to other nations also stood out with their socially relevant answers in the pageant. For example, Miss Myanmar used her stage time to draw attention to the heartbreaking military coup in her country by taking the runway with a sign that reads: "Pray for Myanmar." Furthermore, Earlier in the competition, the reigning Miss Singapore, Bernadette Belle Wu Ong, walked on stage wearing a red bedazzled bodysuit, cuissardes, and a red and white dress in the colors of the Singapore flag with the message "Stop Asian Hate."
It was followed by Miss India Adline Castelino, who made it to the final 5, leaving an impact with her powerful answer in the final round. To the question, "Should countries lockdown due to COVID-19 despite the strain on their economies, or should they open their borders and risk a potential increase in infection rates?
Adline responded by saying, "Good evening, universe. Coming from India and witnessing what India is experiencing right now, I have realized something very important that nothing is more important than the health of your loved ones. And you have to draw a balance between economy and health. And that can only be done when the government works with the people hand in hand and produces something that will work with the economy. Thank you."
As for the future of Miss Universe 2021, Andrea Meza, according to the Miss Universe Organization she will be moving to New York City to represent the brand and various philanthropic organizations during her reign.