Miss South Africa Zozibini Tunzi crowned 68th Miss Universe

The three-hour show was hosted by award-winning comedian, Steve Harvey alongside actress and former beauty queen Vanessa Lachey, and saw performances by Fifth Harmony member, Ally Brooke.

Tunzi beat more than 90 contestants from around the globe and is the third South African to win the Miss Universe crown. The first was Margaret Gardinerin 1978, followed by Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters in 2017.

Madison Anderson, Miss Puerto Rico was first runner-up and Miss Mexico Sofía Aragón, was second runner-up.

The new #MissUniverse2019 is... SOUTH AFRICA!!!! ���� pic.twitter.com/gRW8vcuT3A

— Miss Universe (@MissUniverse) December 9, 2019

“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, I think that it is time that that stops today.”

“I came into this competition with my natural hair as a symbol of my firm belief in fair representation.

I hope I have inspired people and to insert themselves in spaces where they feel that people like them do not belong.”
- #MissUniverse2019 @zozitunzi
Dress @Biji_LaMaison pic.twitter.com/xZtPh4e06T

— Miss South Africa (@Official_MissSA) December 9, 2019