#MissUniverse sends Twitter into a frenzy as South Africa takes the crown

Zozibini Tunzi, the first black woman from the country to ever win the title, stole hearts during the pageant

Congratulations are in order for South Africa’s Zozibini Tunzi who won the Miss Universe 2019 competition in Atlanta, sending Twitter into a frenzy ever since.

The newly-minted Miss Universe beat out 89 other hopeful contestants, including Miss Egypt Diana Hamed, at the televised ceremony hosted by Steve Harvey to claim the crown at the annual beauty pageant.

Tunzi simultaneously made history as the first black woman hailing from South Africa to ever win the prestigious title, reported Arab News. 

https://twitter.com/tsholo_vision/status/1203897403105054720

https://twitter.com/PearlModiadie/status/1203906335655563265

Brown skinned girl ❤️
An African child🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🙌🏽🙌🏽🙌🏽🙌🏽🙌🏽🙌🏽🙌🏽🙌🏽🙌🏽🙌🏽🙌🏽🙌🏽@zozitunzi #MissUniverse2019 pic.twitter.com/xkAls7z3kL

— Lady Zamar (@Lady_Zamar) December 9, 2019

Additionally, she is also the first black woman to claim the title since Angola’s Leila Lopes who took home the crown in 2011.

The ecstatic 26-year-old was crowned by Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray, who hails from the Philippines. Miss Puerto Rico, Madison Anderson was the first runner-up, followed by Miss Mexico, Sofia Aragon who was the second runner-up.

But Miss Universe is winning hearts globally. By 8am on Monday, more than 1.8 million people had tweeted about her, including praising her poise and wit on issues including climate change, beauty and women empowerment.

Miss Universe host Steve Harvey apparently mixes up Miss Malaysia and Miss Philippines 

Tunzi's confidence and advocacy for natural beauty also had the crowds cheering for her."To see how women all over the world are celebrating this win is truly amazing. Thank you Zozi for reaffirming what we women have always know we beautiful just the way we are and we never gonna allow anyone to dim our light ever again," one Twitter user wrote.

To see how women all over the world are celebrating this win is truly amazing. Thank you Zozi for reaffirming what we women have always know we beautiful just the way we are and we never gonna allow anyone to dim our light ever again. #MissUniverse2019 #MissSA #ZozibiniTunzi

— Refi🙄 (@RefilweMpa) December 9, 2019

Another user emotionally shared, "Dear daughters of Africa, today the Queen of the universe looks like you."

Dear daughters of Africa, today the Queen of the universe looks like you. #ZozibiniTunzi 🇿🇦 👑#MissUniverse2019 pic.twitter.com/WzXHQA6ApT

— Tebogo Ditshego (@TebogoDitshego) December 9, 2019

This kind of Universe.
To exist in it.
To occupy its space.
To wear it’s crown.

Shine Zozibini Shine.
Shine South Africa Shine 🇿🇦 #MissUniverse2019 pic.twitter.com/82o5Ghap9u

— Nomzamo Mbatha (@NomzamoMbatha) December 9, 2019

SHE WON!!!!!!!! #MissUniverse2019 #zoziformissuniverse#ZozibiniTunzi #MissUniverseSouthAfrica @zozitunzi 🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩 💫💫💫💫💫💫💫🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳 pic.twitter.com/qbNWz3FjJo

— Mohale Motaung (@mohale_motaung) December 9, 2019

#MissUniverse2019 what a year ita been for SA! #ZozibiniTunzi just put the icing on top. So proud of this lady. Breaking norms, stereotypes and going above and beyond any expectations. pic.twitter.com/b7MDiAQKXn

— Thabo (@ThaboT_style) December 9, 2019

Shortly after she was announced as the winner, Tunzi was presented with the Miss Universe sash and a striking diamond-encrusted crown from Lebanese jewelry house Mouawad, the jeweler behind the iconic Victoria’s Secret Fantasy Bras, which was tasked with creating this year’s diadem.

Entitled “the power of unity,” the stunning 18-karat gold crown set with 1,770 diamonds sat beautifully atop the newly-minted Miss Universe’s textured buzz cut.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B512-ToD3qK/?utm_source=ig_embed

“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,” shared Tunzi in her closing statement, adding, “And I think that it is time that it stops today. I want children to look at me and see my face and I want to see their faces reflected in mine.”

Tunzi is the third South African to win Miss Universe and the second in three years, following in the footsteps of Miss Universe 2017 Demi Leigh Nel-Peters, who hails from Sedgefield. She joins Margaret Gardiner, who was the first South African to claim the title in 1978.

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