Zozibini Tunzi from South Africa Crowned Miss Universe 2019

ZOZIBINI TUNZI, MISS UNIVERSE 2019

Zozibini Tunzi from South Africa was crowned the new Miss Universe at Tyler Perry Studios in Atlanta, Georgia, United States, on December 8, 2019.

The three-hour special programming event aired live on FOX and exclusively in Spanish on Telemundo.

Zozibini Tunzi is a 26-year-old activist engaged in the fight against gender-based violence. She has been vocal in the #HeForShe campaign to change the narrative surrounding gender stereotypes. Tunzi holds a degree in public relations and is a proud advocate for natural beauty, encouraging women to love themselves the way they are. "Growing up, girls who looked like me weren’t considered beautiful," said Tunzi. "I am so proud to be the first woman of color from South Africa to win the Miss Universe title for my country, and I hope every girl sees this and knows she is beautiful – no matter her skin color."

Tunzi was crowned in the new Miss Universe "Power of Unity" crown, which was crafted by international jeweler Mouawad and is worth $5 million. Now in its 68th year, MISS UNIVERSE® featured delegates from 90 countries. The top 20 finalists were selected from three regions of the world: Africa/Asia-Pacific, Europe, and the Americas, as well as a group who could come from any region. The semi-finalists each shared a personal statement summarizing what they wanted the world to know about them prior to the selection committee choosing ten finalists.

For the second consecutive year, the selection committee was made up entirely of women, including business leaders, digital influencers, and former Miss Universe titleholders. For the first time, The CHI Lounge featured a roundtable discussion for Facebook Live about female empowerment, some of which was featured during the live broadcast. The top five finalists were each asked a final question on a timely topic. The top three finalists Miss Universe Mexico Sofía Aragón; Miss Universe South Africa Zozibini Tunzi and Miss Universe Puerto Rico Madison Anderson, each delivered a final statement regarding the most important thing we should teach young girls today prior to Tunzi winning the new Miss Universe Power of Unity Crown, crafted by Mouawad.

Five-time Emmy® Award winner Steve Harvey hosted the competition. Social media personality, model, and Miss Universe 2012 Olivia Culpo alongside actress and Miss Teen USA 1998 Vanessa Lachey appeared as backstage hosts to take viewers behind-the-scenes with the women competing. Ally Brooke, a former member of the multi-platinum pop group Fifth Harmony, performed.

Final Results

First Runner-Up: Miss Universe Puerto Rico Madison Anderson
Second Runner-Up: Miss Universe Mexico Sofía Aragón

Top Three

Miss Universe Mexico Sofía Aragón
Miss Universe South Africa Zozibini Tunzi
Miss Universe Puerto Rico Madison Anderson

Top Five

Miss Universe Mexico Sofía Aragón
Miss Universe Thailand Paweensuda Drouin
Miss Universe Colombia Gabriela Tafur Nader
Miss Universe Puerto Rico Madison Anderson
Miss Universe South Africa Zozibini Tunzi

Top Ten

Miss USA Cheslie Kryst
Miss Universe Colombia Gabriela Tafur Nader
Miss Universe Puerto Rico Madison Anderson
Miss Universe South Africa Zozibini Tunzi
Miss Universe Peru Kelin Rivera
Miss Universe Iceland Birta Abiba Þórhallsdóttir
Miss Universe France Maëva Coucke
Miss Universe Indonesia Frederika Cull
Miss Universe Thailand Paweensuda Drouin
Miss Universe Mexico Sofía Aragón

Top Twenty

Miss Universe South Africa Zozibini Tunzi
Miss Universe Indonesia Frederika Cull
Miss Universe Vietnam Thuy Hoang
Miss Universe Nigeria Olutosin Araromi
Miss Universe Thailand Paweensuda Drouin
Miss Universe Albania Cindy Marina
Miss Universe France Maëva Coucke
Miss Universe Iceland Birta Abiba Þórhallsdóttir
Miss Universe Croatia Mia Rkman
Miss Universe Portugal Sylvie Silva
Miss Universe Puerto Rico Madison Anderson
Miss Universe Peru Kelin Rivera
Miss Universe Dominican Republic Clauvid Daly
Miss Universe Mexico Sofía Aragón
Miss USA Cheslie Kryst
Miss Universe Philippines Gazini Ganados
Miss Universe Venezuela Thalia Olvino
Miss Universe India Vartika Singh
Miss Universe Brazil Julia Horta
Miss Universe Colombia Gabriela Tafur Nader

Press Release. Miss Universe Organization. 
Photos by: IMG/MUO/Tom Griscom, Alex Mertz, Patrick Prather, Benjamin Askinas, Frank L Szelwach