South Africa's Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters brought the Miss Universe crown back to her country after nearly 4 decades, with her victory in Las Vegas, USA on Sunday, November 26 (Monday, November 27, in Manila).
The 22-year-old, who recently earned a business management degree, was crowned at The AXIS theater at Planet Hollywood casino-resort on the Las Vegas Strip. 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.
Along with the title, Nel-Peters earned a yearlong 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.
During the Q&A portion, Demi-Leigh was asked "What quality in yourself are you most proud of and how will you apply that quality to your time as Miss Universe?"
Below is her winning answer:
"As Miss Universe, you have to be confident in who you are as an individual. A Miss Universe is a woman who has overcome many fears and by that, she is able to help other 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."