From Miss Mexico to Miss Universe, Andrea Meza is crowned as the new Miss Universe at the annual competition in Hollywood, FL, at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino.
With a year delay due to COVID-19, Meza was crowned Miss Universe 2020 on Sunday, May 16.
Meza, 26, won out 73 other beauty queens representing different countries, including Miss Brazil, Julia Gama, as runner-up, and Miss Peru, Janick Maceta Del Castillo, as third place.
With a degree in software engineer, Meza was crowned by her predecessor Miss Universe 2019, Zozibini Tunzi representing South Africa.
In her final statement, Meza addresses the topic of changing beauty standards and gave an inspiring answer.
“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. “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 new Miss Universe is Mexico!!!! #MISSUNIVERSE pic.twitter.com/Mmb6l7tK8I
— Miss Universe (@MissUniverse) May 17, 2021
On the other hand, Meza was a sight to see during the show, which began with a swimsuit segment followed by an evening gown and interview questions. Also, the Puerto Rican singer Luis Fonsi blessed the stage with a performance alongside the top 5 contestants.
During the interview questions, Meza was asked how she would have handled the COVID pandemic if she was the country’s leader. She responded that she would have started lockdown earlier.
“I believe there is not perfect way to handle this hard situation such as COVID-19,” she answered. “However, I believe what I would have done is create the lockdown even before everything was that big 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.”
According to her contestant biography, Meza is an activist focused on women’s rights and works closely with the Municipal Institute for Women.
Also, she is a certified makeup artist and model as well as an extreme sports and Crossfit fan who is the official Tourism Brand Ambassador for the City of Chihuahua.
Aside from the new winner, the beauty pageant was hosted by Mario Lopez and former Miss Universe Olivia Culpo, who won the crown in 2012.
The pageant featured an impressive roaster of women as well.
