Miss Universe 2020: Viva Mexico!
BENJAMIN ASKINAS / Miss Universe.
After placing 2nd in Miss World 2017, stunning Andrea Meza, Miss Universe Mexico, became the third woman to win the Miss Universe Crown! "MÉXICO ESTO ES PARA TI," Meza, 26, wrote in the caption of an Instagram post, which translates to "Mexico this is for you," alongside a video of her after the win was announced.
The competition was held in Hollywood, Florida, at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino. "Access Hollywood's" Mario Lopez and Olivia Culpo, the 2012 Miss Universe, co-hosted the event, which also featured a performance by Luis Fonsi.
Meza beat 73 other women, including Miss Universe Brazil, Julia Gama, who was the 1st runner-up, Miss Universe Peru, Janick Maceta Del Castillo, who was second runner-up, Adline Quadros Castelino of India, third runner-up, and Kimberly Jimenez of the Dominican Republic, for many the positive surprise of the night, fourth runner-up.
Gama of Brazil, like Andrea, also competed in Miss World, in 2014, having reached the top 10 and being a co-winner of the Beauty With a Purpose. Janick Maceta of Peru competed in Miss Supranational 2019, in Poland, where she placed 4th.
Miss Universe India, Adline Castelino, was the 3rd runner-up (4th place). After 19 years, Adline took India back to the Top 5 of Miss Universe. In 5th place was the positive surprise of the night, Miss Universe Dominica Republic, Kimberly Jimenez.
"I am so honored to have been selected among the 73 other amazing women I stood with tonight," Meza said in a news release from Miss Universe Organization. "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."
Andrea will now use her year as Miss Universe to advocate for women’s rights and against gender-based violence. After the National Costume Competition, rounds of interviews, a preliminary competition, and the live Finals, Andrea was crowned with the MouawadPower of Unity Crown, presented to her by outgoing Miss Universe2019, Zozibini Tunzi, who now holds the title for the longest-ever reigning Miss Universe.
Andrea Meza, 26, is from Chihuahua City. She has a degree in software engineering and is an activist, and currently works closely with the Municipal Institute for Women, which aims to end gender-based violence. She is also a certified make-up artist and model, who is passionate about being active and living a healthy lifestyle. She is also vegan and enjoys extreme sports in her free time, including rappelling and sandboarding. The new Miss Universe is also the official Tourism Brand Ambassador for her hometown, Chihuahua, promoting the best tourist attractions and rich culture her beautiful home offers.
Miss Universe 2017, Demi-Leigh Tebow, Miss USA 2019 Cheslie Kryst, and Miss Universe 2014, Paulina Vega, gave viewers a behind-the-scenes look at the show throughout the night. If fans missed the live show on FYI or Telemundo, they can still catch the action streaming beginning Monday on Roku.
At this year’s Miss Universe competition, women representing 74 countries competed in multiple categories. The MUO claims that the show aired in over 190 countries and territories across the globe.
The third Mexican woman to have conquered the Miss Universe title will move to New York City today to represent the brand and various philanthropic organizations during her reign.
This year’s Miss Universe Selection Committee (also known as jury…) was comprised of Miss Universe 1997, Brook Lee; Miss Universe 2006, Zuleyka Rivera; president of Carnival Cruise Line, Christine Duffy, CMO of Mary Kay Cosmetics Sheryl Adkins-Green; actor and activist Arden Cho; CEO of Live Tinted Deepica Mutyala; television host Keltie Knight; and CEO of Arena del Rio Tatyana Orozco.
During the telecast, Miss Universe Myanmar, Thuzar Wint Lwin, was announced as the winner of the National Costume Competition, following her emotional display on Thursday to “Pray for Myanmar” amidst the political climate in her country, where thousands have been killed by the military after a coup, backed by countries such as China and Russia.
Additionally, Miss Universe Bolivia, Lenka Nemer, was announced as the first-ever winner of the Miss Universe Impact Award, presented by InvisiSmart. CEO of InvisiSmart, Saba Yussouff, presented the award to Nemer for her work advancing urban cultivation to eradicate hunger and food insecurity. She received USD 10.000 to be invested in her project. It´s Miss Universe following Miss World´s good example with Beauty With a Purpose, which is very positive for the pageant world as a whole.
The president of Carnival Cruise Line, Christine Duffy, presented Miss Universe Dominican Republic Kimberly Jimenez, “The Carnival Spirit Award.” Jimenez was named the godmother of the Mardi Gras liner for exhibiting the spirit of friendship.
Taking its inspiration from the universal themes of nature, strength, beauty, femininity, and fairness, the Mouawad MISS UNIVERSE® Power of Unity Crown is crafted from 18-karat gold and handset with more than 1,725 white diamonds and 3 golden canary diamonds. These hundreds of diamonds are set in intricate interplays of motifs of petals, leaves, and vines, representing communities across the seven continents whose bonds unite them in the same purpose of empowering one another. The crown’s centerpiece, a shield cut golden canary diamond weighing a magnificent 62.83ct, and its harmony with the diamonds surrounding it, inspires the crown’s name, the Power of Unity. Mouawad Co-GuardianPascal Mouawad said, “It is inspiring to see the Mouawad MISS UNIVERSE® Power of Unity Crown begin a new chapter with a new reigning Miss Universe. We look forward to seeing its powerful message of beauty, unity, and being a force for good be embodied and carried forward by Andrea.”