broadcast live from the Tyler Perry Studios in Atlanta, Georgia. It’s also worth mentioning that the pageant included its first openly gay contestant, Swe Zin Htet of Myanmar (a country that criminalizes homosexuality).
Tunzi, a 26-year-old activist and public relations professional, beat Puerto Rico’s Madison Anderson and Mexico’s Sofia Aragon in the final three. She is the first Black woman to be crowned Miss Universe since Leila Lopes of Angola in 2011.
Representation matters. Young Black girls get to see themselves in women who are currently on the nation’s, and now the world’s stage and who are killing the game! We’re proud of all this year’s winners, and even more proud of the platforms they stand upon, including Tunzi’s platform, which is centered on advocating for natural beauty and fighting gender-based violence.
“Zozibini Tunzi is a passionate activist and engaged in the fight against gender-based violence. She has devoted her social media campaign to changing the narrative around gender stereotypes. She is a proud advocate for natural beauty and encourages women to love themselves the way they are.”
The timing couldn’t be any better. Tunzi’s chocolate skin and natural hair serve as a symbol for the shift in