New Miss Universe aims to do SA proud
TRIUMPH AND TEARS
NEWLY crowned Miss Universe DemiLeigh Nel-Peters thanked South Africans back home for their support shortly after she was announced the winner in a star-studded ceremony in Las Vegas.
Nel-Peters, 22, edged out her rivals from Colombia and Jamaica to take the crown.
She said her disabled half-sister had been her inspiration.
In a voice note later, the beauty queen said she hoped to make South Africa proud.
“South Africa‚ your support has been absolutely incredible.
“We haven’t had a [South African] Miss Universe in 39 years‚ so this one is for you.”
Nel-Peters is only the second South African to take the Miss Universe crown, after Margaret Gardiner won in 1978.
South Africa did not compete in the pageant between 1985 and 1994.
Nel-Peters thanked the country for its support. “I hope to make you proud and I hope to be the physical representation of what a South African young woman is.
“And I can’t say thank you enough for all the support I’ve been receiving.”
Nel-Peters, wearing a gold Anele Botha gown with about 30 000 Swarovski crystals, was a firm favourite throughout the competition, but it was the question-andanswer section that sealed the deal on the night.
In the “Final Word” portion of the competition, Nel-Peters said: “Miss Universe is a woman who has overcome many fears, and by that she is able to help many women overcome their fears.
“She is a woman that nothing is ever too much to ask for. “And I think that is exactly who I am.” In the pageant’s 66th year, nearly 100 women from around the world – including first-timers from Cambodia, Laos and Nepal – took part.
The runner-up was actress Laura Gonzalez, of Colombia, followed by second runner-up Davina Bennett, of Jamaica.
The reigning Miss Universe, Iris Mittenaere from France, crowned her successor on Sunday night (the early hours of yesterday morning, SA time).
US comic turned TV host Steve Harvey hosted the event for the third time.
In 2015, he famously announced the wrong person as Miss Universe.
Former Miss SA and Miss World Rolene Strauss congratulated her friend on the win . – TshisaLIVE, with additional reporting by AFP