Mexico wins 69th Miss Universe Pageant

Amelia Symons, Staff Writer

The 2020 Miss Universe Pageant was held on May 16, 2021, at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida. The Miss Universe Organization announced the date and location of the ceremony on March  3, 2021. The COVID-19 pandemic was the reason for the delay of the ceremony, as it was supposed to be held in late 2020. The 2020 ceremony was hosted by Mario Lopez and Olivia Culpo. This is the first ceremony since 2015 that Steve Harvey did not host. Other than the 2014 and 2016 ceremonies, the 2020 ceremony was the other ceremony to take place after the end of the calendar year. Chelsie Kryst served as the backstage correspondent, and Paulina Vega and Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters were expert analysts. The 2020 ceremony became the latest edition in the history of the organization. At first, Pitbull was scheduled to perform at the ceremony, but he was replaced by Luis Fonsi after Pitbull dropped out. Andrea Meza of Mexico became the winner of this year’s Miss Universe Ceremony.

Two days before the day of the competition, the contestants participated in the preliminary competition, which includes the swimsuit competition, evening gown competition, and closed-door interview. The results of these preliminary competitions determined the Top 21 contestants that would move on. Those who made the Top 21 then competed in another swimsuit competition that determined the Top 10. The Top 10 then had an evening gown segment, where the final five were chosen. The last five contestants competed with a final question and closing statement. After the speaking segment and questions, the winner was chosen and announced. 

In addition to Miss Universe, the Miss Universe Organization gives out 1st Runner Up, 2nd Runner Up, 3rd Runner Up, 4th Runner Up, Top 10, and Top 21. Contestants are voted into the Top 21 through online fans. The countries that made it into the Top 21 were Argentina, Colombia, Curacao, France, Great Britain, Indonesia, Myanmar, Nicaragua, the Philippines, the United States, and Vietnam. In the Top 10 were Australia, Costa Rica, Jamaica, Puerto Rico, and Thailand. Kimberly Jiménez of the Dominican Republic received 4th Runner Up. Adline Castelino from India won 3rd Runner Up. Janick Maceta from Peru got 2nd Runner Up. Julia Gama from Brazil received 1st Runner Up. Best National Costume was given to Thuzar Wint Lwin from Myanmar. The Social Impact Award was given to Lenka Nemer from Bolivia. Carnival Spirit Award was given to Kimberly Jiménez of the Dominican Republic.

In the 2021 Miss Universe Pageant, winner Andrea Meza will give her crown off to the successor of the Miss Universe Pageant.