In a ceremony marred by Covid-19 and controversies surrounding some of its candidates, Andrea Meza bagged the crown to become Mexico’s third Miss Universe winner.
PROBABLY the epitome of determination and possessing the Ginebra –like never-say-die attitude, Miss Mexico Andrea Meza outshone 73 other contestants in the 69th Miss Universe pageant held Monday (May 17, Manila time) at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida.
Indeed, she aimed for the world but was destined for the universe.
A veteran of many beauty pageants before winning in the 69th Miss Universe, Andrea Meza represented Mexico in the Miss World 2017 pageant placing second to Miss World 2016 Manusji Chhillar of India.
She is Mexico’s third Miss Universe after Lupita Jones in 1991 and Ximena Navarrete in 2010.
The 26-year-old model takes over the title from Miss Universe 2019 Zozibini Tunzi, who has the longest reign in the pageant's history due to the pandemic.
Brazil's Julia Gama is the first runner-up, Peru's Janick Maceta is the second runner-up while India's Adline Castelino and Dominican Republic's Kimberly Perez are third runner-up and fourth runner-up, respectively,
During the question-and-answer round, Miss Universe 1997 Brook Lee asked about how Miss Mexico would have handled the COVID-19 pandemic if she were the leader of her country.
"I believe there's not a perfect way to handle this hard situation such as COVID-19. However, I believe that what I would've done was [to] create the lockdown even before everything was that big. Because we lost so many lives and we cannot afford that. We have to take care of our people. That's why I would've taken care of them since the beginning," she replied.
Miss Mexico also addressed the topic of changing beauty standards during her final statement, stressing that beauty goes beyond looks as translated by an interpreter.
"We live in a society that more and more is advanced. And as we have advanced as a society, we've also advanced with stereotypes. Nowadays, beauty isn't only the way we look. For me, beauty radiates not only in our spirit but in our hearts and the way that we conduct ourselves. Never permit someone to tell you that you're not valuable."
For Ilongga Rabiya Mateo, the hopes to bring home the Philippines' fifth Miss Universe title came to an end early into the night as she failed to advance into the Top 10.
“I really had my humble beginnings, and education has transformed my life. Now, I am a teacher and I hope that my students will see the value of education the way that I saw it,” Rabiya said in a video after being selected as the 15th candidate for the top 21.
Former beauty queens and some personalities took to social media to express their support for Rabiya’s hard work in representing the Philippines to the international pageant stage.
Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray and Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach sent Rabiya messages of support on Twitter.
“Woooow this year is intense!! (shock emoji) Sending Rabiya all of our love! She made our country proud! (heart emoji) 11-year consecutive semi-streak Pilipinas,” Gray wrote.
“Rabiya you made us so proud! We know you put your heart into this and we love you! Mabuhay ang Pinay!” Wurtzbach said.
1969 Miss Universe Gloria Diaz also cheered on Mateo by posting “Laban Rabiya! Bring home the 5th crown!” on her Instagram Story, a few hours before the pageant.
Filipino netizens flooded twitter and other social media platforms to stand with Rabiya despite the abrupt end to the title run and focused on the Philippines holding a record of 11 consecutive semis placement streak in Miss Universe.
(NP)
Tags: #MissUniverse, #AndreaMeza