‘It’s a dream come true:’ Miss Mexico Andrea Mezam, 26, is crowned Miss Universe 2021 after the software engineer wowed judges in a hot pink mini dress, a yellow bikini and Aztec dragon national costume
- The 26-year-old model-software engineer reacted to her triumph on Instagram: ‘MISS UNIVERSE IS MÉXICO!’
- Andrea is reportedly the third Mexican woman to win the crown, following Lupita Jones and Ximena Navarrete
- Meza managed to beat out 74 other contestants for the title at the 69th annual beauty competition
- The FYI-broadcast ceremony was hosted by 2012 titleholder Olivia Culpo and Mario Lopez, and it featured a special performance by Luis Fonsi
Miss Mexico Andrea Meza was crowned Miss Universe 2021 on Sunday a year after the 2020 pageant was cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The 26-year-old model-software engineer – who was crowned by 2019 titleholder Zozibini Tunzi – reacted to her triumph on Instagram: ‘MISS UNIVERSE IS MÉXICO!’, and later: ‘MÉXICO ESTO ES PARA TI,’ which translates as ‘Mexico is for you’.
For the grand finale, Andrea dazzled in a flaming red-fringed gown designed by Ivis Lenin to accept the honor onstage Florida’s Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood.
Meza – who has 40 cousins and wowed judges in a hot pink mini dress, a yellow bikini and Aztec dragon national costume – is reportedly the third Mexican woman to ever win the crown, following Lupita Jones and Ximena Navarrete.
Congrats! Miss Mexicana Universal Andrea Meza was crowned Miss Universe 2021 on Sunday a year after the 2020 pageant was cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic
The 26-year-old model-software engineer – who was crowned by 2019 titleholder Zozibini Tunzi (R) – reacted to her triumph on Instagram: ‘MISS UNIVERSE IS MÉXICO!’
Supportive embrace: The Autonomous University of Chihuahua grad managed to beat out 74 other contestants for the title of Miss Universe at the 69th annual beauty competition
Brook Lee, Demi-Leigh Tebow, Miss Universe 2021 Andrea Meza and Olivia Culpo pose onstage at the Miss Universe 2021 Pageant at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino on May 16
The Autonomous University of Chihuahua grad managed to beat out 73 other contestants for the title of Miss Universe at the 69th annual beauty competition, including Miss Brazil Julia Gama – who came in as runner up – and Miss Peru Janick Maceta Del Castillo, who came in third place.
‘I am so honored to have been selected among the 73 other amazing women I stood with tonight,’ Meza said in a press release from the 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.’
‘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 said in her final statement during the pageant
‘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.’
The model and makeup-artist, who is from Chihuahua City, is also an activist, and ‘works closely with the Municipal Institute for Women, which aims to end gender-based violence.’
She additionally serves as the official Tourism Brand Ambassador for her hometown.
Taut tummy: And while Miss America ditched their swimsuit competition in 2018, the women competing for Miss Universe were still required to strut their stuff in a bikini
Andrea donned three very different dresses throughout the competition including a hot-pink mini and a beige halter gown with a thigh-high slit
Quetzalcóatl: Meza also represented her country by wearing a national costume of an Aztec dragon featuring thousands of beads and colorful feathers
Elegant: For the grand finale, Andrea dazzled in a flaming red-fringed gown designed by Ivis Lenin to accept the honor onstage Florida’s Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood
The model and software engineer student blew kisses to the crowds after she was announced this year’s winner
Elated: Meza – who has 40 cousins – is reportedly the third Mexican woman to ever win the crown, following Lupita Jones and Ximena Navarrete
Emcees: The FYI-broadcast ceremony was hosted by 2012 titleholder Olivia Culpo (L) and Saved by the Bell star Mario Lopez (R)
Amazon! Andrea also posed with special performer, five-time Grammy nominee Luis Fonsi
The FYI-broadcast ceremony was hosted by 2012 titleholder Olivia Culpo and Saved by the Bell star Mario Lopez, and it featured a special performance by Luis Fonsi.
During the Q&A round with four other contestants, Andrea was asked about beauty standards in the fast-evolving age of technology.
‘We live in a society that more and more is more advanced and as we have advanced as a society, we have advanced with stereotypes,’ Meza explained through a translator.
‘Nowadays, beauty is not only the way we look. For me, beauty radiates not only in our spirits, but in our hearts and the way we conduct ourselves. Never permit someone to tell you that you are not valuable.’
The 6ft vegan – who reportedly has Chinese ancestry – also explained how she would have handled the coronavirus pandemic.
‘I believe that what I would have done was create the lockdown even before everything was that big,’ Andrea stated.
‘Never permit someone to tell you that you are not valuable’: During the Q&A round with four other contestants, Meza was asked about beauty standards in the fast-evolving age of technology
‘Create the lockdown even before everything was that big’: The 6ft vegan – who reportedly has Chinese ancestry – also explained how she would have handled the coronavirus pandemic through a translator
Miss Mexico Andrea Meza clutched her prized bouquet as she waved to the crowds after being announced winner of Miss Universe 2021
‘Because we lost so many lives and we cannot afford that. We have to take care of our people. That’s why I would have taken care of them since the beginning.’
And while Miss America ditched their swimsuit competition in 2018, the women competing for Miss Universe were still required to strut their stuff in a bikini.
Meza donned three very different dresses throughout the competition including a hot-pink mini and a beige halter gown with a thigh-high slit.
Miss Mexico 2017 also represented her country by wearing a national costume of an Aztec dragon featuring thousands of beads and colorful feathers.
Also sending a message was Uruguay’s Lola de los Santos Biccò, who fanned out her rainbow-colored cape to reveal the phrase: ‘No more hate, violence, rejection, discrimination’
Plea: Myanmar’s Thuzar Wint Lwin literally held a sign up asking for ‘Prayers for Myanmar’ in reaction to the unrest in the Asian nation since the military carried out a putsch on February 1
Miss Singapore Bernadette Belle Ong decided to include her powerful message into her actual costume and decided to shine a spotlight on the #StopAsianHate movement through a sequinned bodysuit which included a hashtag on a white and red cape
Taking to her Instagram, Bernadette Belle Ong penned: ‘This year’s national costume is inspired by the Singapore flag. The red of the flag represents universal fellowship, and white purity. These ideals ring true not just for Singapore but also at an international competition like Miss Universe that brings women together to empower each other and address important issues. #stopasianhate’
The official representative of Cayman Islands, Mariah Tibbetts, put on a very colourful display in a range of red, orange and blue in her carnival-inspired outfit
Looking roarsome! Miss Nicaragua Ana Marcelo made sure she stood out among the other contestants in her eye-catching ensemble (pictured, left and right)
Monochrome magic! Miss Great Britain Jeanette Akua put on a memorable display in a black and white sequin down as she took centre stage
Miss Denmark Amanda Petri lit up the stage in her breathtaking ensemble which featured lights, feathers and sequins
Miss Universe Philippines Rabiya Mateo put on a stylish display in red and blue wings and three stars to represent the colours and symbols of the country’s flag
Miqueal-Symone, who is the 48th Jamaican woman to represent Jamaica at the Miss Universe, looked powerful in purple as she took to the stage
Miss Bahamas Shauntae-Ashleigh Miller, who placed as first runner-up in 2018, donned an air hostess inspired outfit – complete with a plane attached to her back
Other contestants standing out in their national costumes included Singapore’s Bernadette Belle Ong who wore a cape emblazoned with ‘Stop Asian Hate.’
Taking to her Instagram, she penned: ‘This year’s national costume is inspired by the Singapore flag. The red of the flag represents universal fellowship, and white purity.’
‘These ideals ring true not just for Singapore but also at an international competition like Miss Universe that brings women together to empower each other and address important issues. #stopasianhate.’
She continued: ‘Our peaceful social fabric is built on respect for all races, languages and religions. We stand tall and raise our voice for democracy, peace, progress, justice and equality. This is what makes Singapore thrive as a multicultural, inter-religious nation.’
Also sending a message was Uruguay’s Lola de los Santos Biccò, who fanned out her rainbow-colored cape to reveal the phrase: ‘No more hate, violence, rejection, discrimination.’
Myanmar’s Thuzar Wint Lwin literally held a sign up asking for ‘Prayers for Myanmar’ in reaction to the unrest in the Asian nation since the military carried out a putsch on February 1, disputing the results of an election that resulted in a pro-democracy party winning power.
Across Myanmar, citizens have been pushing back against the ruling junta, staging massive demonstrations which have been met with violence by the military and led to the deaths of hundreds so far.
What a way to shellabrate! Miss Panama Carmen Jaramillo donned a costume adorned with a fishing net and shells as she represented her country
Miss Universe Ukraine Yelyzaveta Yastremska opted for an intricate dress which took the folk tradition of paper-cutting to monumental levels
Spring has sprung! Miss Dominican Republic Kimberly Jimenez brought a touch of sunshine to the stage with her daffodil-inspired costume
Miss Bolivia Lenka Nemer put on a jovial display to ensure her colourful costume was captured in all its glory
Flower power! Ivonne Cerdas Cascante, who represented Costa Rica, donned a floral-patterned gown as she took to the stage to compete in the 2021 beauty contest
Making a splash! Miss Mauritius Vandana Jeetah put on a tropical display in a sea-inspired gown which featured an array of different oceanic fish
Miss Colombia Laura Olascuaga made sure all eyes were on her in this bright ensemble, complete with feathers, sequins and pom poms
Miss Brazil Julia Gama took to the stage in a nude-coloured playsuit and platform heels this morning (pictured)
Miss Argentina Alina Akselrad paid tribute to her country’s incredible football success in her sequinned kit featuring an image of Diego Maradona, one of the country’s greatest sporting legends (pictured, left and right)
Miss British Virgin Islands Shabree Frett looked pretty in pink as she opted for a feathered dress complete with flamingo headpiece
Spreading the love! Nova Stevens, who was representing Canada, made sure the maple leaf took centre stage of her ensemble – the characteristic leaf of the maple tree is the most widely recognised national symbol of the country
Miss Netherlands Denise Spellman proudly represented her country in a red gown which has ‘Holland’ emblazoned across the front
Mariangel Villasmil Arteaga, Miss Venezuela (pictured, left and right), looked a vision in blue as she put her best fashion foot forward on Friday morning
Cecilia Rossell, who represented Miss Honduras, put on a confident display in a very impressed headpiece complete with cheetah statue
Miss Australia Maria Thattil opted for a black and white ensemble as she appeared onstage at the Miss Universe 2021
Miss Ecuador Leyla Espinoza impressed on stage with a gold and black cape at the Miss Universe 2021
Miss France Amandine Petit had two layers to her big reveal – taking off her white gown to reveal a skimpy silver sequin outfit
Other memorable performances included Miss Philippines Rabiya Mateo, who stood out in a pair of red and blue wings and three stars which represented the colours and symbols of her country’s flag.
The three stars in the Philippine flag represent the country’s main island groups which are Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.
Wearing her dark hair loose and wavy, Rabiya completed her eye-catching ensemble with a pair of mismatched but colour-coordinated heels.
Miss Bahamas Shauntae-Ashleigh Miller, who placed as first runner-up in 2018, also made sure she was one to be seen in her glitzy air hostess-inspired outfit – complete with a plane attached to her back.
Miss Haiti Eden Berandoive opted to make a bold statement as she took to the stage for the 69th edition of Miss Universe 2021
Chelsea Tayui, the official representative of Ghana, donned a colourful ensemble comprised of the colour’s of her country’s flag
Miss Barbados Hillary Ann Williams brought a splash of colour in bright turquoise as she attended the 69th edition of the beauty competition
Lady in red! Miss Albania, Paula Mehmetukaj, opted for a figure hugging bodice, red gown and impressive neckpiece as her turn came to take to the stage
Miss Italy Viviana Vizzini put her best foot forward as she took to the stage at Miss Universe 2021
Miss Cambodia Sarita Reth was all smiles when it was her turn to grace the stage and showcase her ‘national costume’
Miss India Adline Castelino (pictured left) and right, Miss Chile Daniela Nicolas proudly display their ‘national costumes’
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