South African is Miss U; Rachel Peters tops online voting
LAS VEGAS – Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters, who represented South Africa, won the Miss Universe crown Sunday.
The 22-year-old, who wants to use her reign to champion HIV/AIDS and self-defense causes, was crowned at The AXIS theater at Planet Hollywood casino-resort on the Las Vegas Strip.
“HIV/AIDS is a very big problem in my country South Africa, so I hope to stand as an advocate for that,” she said before reporters after the event.
Along with the title, Nel-Peters earned a year-long salary, a luxury apartment in New York City for the duration of her reign and more prizes. She is the second woman from her home country to earn the crown.
The runner-up was Miss Colombia Laura Gonzalez, while the second runner-up was Miss Jamaica Davina Bennett.
Ninety-two women from around the world participated in the decades-old competition. This year’s edition had the most contestants ever, including the first representatives in its history of Cambodia, Laos and Nepal.
When asked to name the most important issue women face in the workplace, Nel-Peters said the lack of equal pay.
“In some places, women get paid 75 percent of what men earn for doing the same job, working the same hours, and I do not believe that is right,” said Nel-Peters, who recently earned a business management degree. “I think we should have equal pay for equal work for women all over the world.”
Grammy-Award winner Fergie performed her new song “A Little Work” while the contestants walked down the stage wearing evening gowns.
This year’s judges included YouTube star Lele Pons, former judge of “America’s Next Top Model” Jay Manuel, 1998 Miss Universe winner from Trinidad and Tobago Wendy Fitzwilliam and 2015 Miss Universe Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach.
Peters tops online voting
Earlier, Miss Philippines’ Rachel Peters advanced to the top 16 of the 66th Miss Universe after dominating votes on social media.
The announcement of wild- card finalists drew huge cheers from the nervous audience, especially when Peters’ name was mentioned.
Peters had been the frontrunner of the online polls, along with fellow Asians Miss Thailand and Miss Indonesia. Online votes are among the factors in choosing a wild card candidate.
Finishing in the Final 10 of the Miss Universe 2017 pageant, Miss Philippines Rachel Peters thanked yesterday the Filipino people for supporting her in her journey.
“I did my best but I guess my best wasn’t good enough. Thank you fellow countrymen. I love Philippines,” Peters said on her Twitter post.
Backstage host of Miss Universe 2017 Ashley Graham said the Philippines’ representative was her bet for the pageant.
In an interview with Peters after the announcement of the Top 16 finalists, Graham told the Filipina beauty that she was rooting for her.
Graham is an anti-body shaming advocate and the first plus-size model to be on the cover of Sports Illustrated Swimsuit issue.
Even if she did not take home the crown, Filipinos expressed their admiration for Peters.
Sen. Grace Poe cited Peters’ performance at the Miss Universe pageant.
“You were a portrait of beauty and perseverance on stage and gave the pageant your best,” Poe said in a statement.
“With or without the crown, you have won the hearts of the Filipinos!” she said.
Local celebrities took to social media to congratulate Peters.
“We are proud of you #MsPhilippines #RachelPeters,” said singer-composer Ogie Alcasid on his Twitter post.
“Still very proud of you Rachel Peters,” actress Sunshine Cruz said.
“#Philippines #proudof you. You fought well. #RachelPeters,” singer Zsazsa Padilla said.
“No matter what @rachelpetersx gave her best. Great job, Rachel. You represented the country well,” STAR columnist Tim Yap said.