Miss Mexico, Andrea Meza was crowned Miss Universe 2021 on Sunday, May 16, after more than a year delay due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The 26-year-old model-software engineer was crowned by 2019 title holder Zozibini Tunzi at Miss Universe competition was finally held on May 16 at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood.
Meza finished first ahead of Brazilian and Peruvian finalists in a flashy televised event, hosted by American actor Mario Lopez and television personality Olivia Culpo.
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.
During the final statement round, Miss Mexico was asked to address the topic of changing beauty standards.
Speaking via a translator, Meza stated;
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. 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.
She also faced the final question round where she was asked to share how she would have handled the COVID-19 pandemic.
Miss Mexico explained;
I believe there is not a perfect way to handle this hard situation such as COVID-19. However, I believe that what I would have done was 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.
Meza is reportedly the third Mexican woman to ever win the crown after Lupita Jones and Ximena Navarrete.
See some photos below;
