Miss Universe 2021: Mexico’s Andrea Meza wins pageant as Australia’s Maria Thattil makes top 10
Melbourne beauty Maria Thattil has proven her critics wrong after placing top 10 in the global beauty pageant.
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Miss Universe Australia Maria Thattil has proven her critics wrong after placing top 10 in the international beauty pageant.
Missing out on the top prize to Miss Mexico Andrea Meza, the 28-year-old former HR manager from Melbourne did her country proud at the event in Florida.
Taking to Instagram after the competition, the brunette beauty said she entered the competition to “shake it up”.
“I was told she’s too short, she’s not Australian enough, she can’t stand up against the taller women,” Thattil wrote. “And guess what? As the 3rd woman of colour to represent Australia after 69 years of @missuniverse standing at 5’3 tall, I placed in the top 10 in the world.”
She continued: “My friends, I always said @missuniverse would be one way I’d live my purpose – but with or without the incredible title I’ll still be true to my heart. I’m a force to be reckoned with and there isn’t a ceiling I won’t shatter. For my community of supporters, for those of you who are shorter, darker, different, maybe you feel like a misfit or maybe you think the world doesn’t have a place for you – look at me and be reminded of your ability to carve out your OWN place.”
Thattil, who was born in Australia to Indian migrant parents, wore different outfits as she progressed in the competition alongside 74 hopefuls.
She stood out in a red bikini in one section and wore an evening gown from Australian designer Alin Le’Kal.
Her national costume was inspired by a black swan, the outfit coming from Perth designer Nicola Yeung.
Thattil is due home in Australia by the end of the week, where she will undertake mandatory hotel quarantine for 14 days.
“I’m coming home and the fire in my belly is just warming up,” she said. “I didn’t get to speak on that stage tonight but for the rest of my life, you will hear my voice – and it will amplify the voices of many others like me who were once not heard. I love you all, I’m so blessed, fulfilled and grateful and I can’t wait to come home.”
The 2021 Miss Universe contest was held in Hollywood, Florida, after being postponed last year due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Meza, who has a degree in software engineering, is the third Mexican woman in history to win the contest.
During the final statement round, Meza was asked to address the topic of changing beauty standards.
“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,” she shared via translator. “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 beat Julia Gama of Brazil to the top spot.
Dressed in a sparkling red evening gown, Meza tearfully walked the catwalk as Miss Universe for the first time, before rushing back for a group hug with the other competitors.
Meza, 26, finished first ahead of the Brazilian and Peruvian finalists in a flashy televised event, hosted by American actor Mario Lopez and television personality Olivia Culpo.
The fourth runner-up was Dominican Republic, followed by India and Peru.
Meza beat more than 70 contestants from around the globe in the 69th instalment of Miss Universe.
“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,” she shared via translator.
“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.”
One of their fellow contestants Miss Myanmar used her stage time to draw attention to the bloody military coup in her country.
Thuzar Wint Lwin, who made the top 21, made waves when she used her time in the spotlight to bring attention to the coup in her country.
“Our people are dying and being shot by the military every day,” she said during her biographical video, which showed photos of her taking part in the anti-coup protests. “Therefore I would like to urge everyone to speak out about Myanmar.”
She also won the award for best national costume: during that competition segment on Thursday, she wore an outfit beaded in traditional Burmese patterns and held up a sign that said, “Pray for Myanmar.” Myanmar has been in uproar since February 1, when the army ousted civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi.
At least 796 people have been killed by security forces since then, according to a local monitoring group, while nearly 4,000 people are behind bars.
Miss Singapore Bernadette Belle Ong — who did not make the top 21 — also used the national costume portion to make a political statement.
Dressed in a glittering red bodysuit and matching thigh-high boots, she turned around to reveal her cape — in the colours of the Singaporean flag — was painted with the words “Stop Asian Hate.” “What is this platform for if I can’t use it to send a strong message of resistance against prejudice and violence?” she wrote on Instagram alongside pictures of her outfit.
The United States in particular has seen a surge in anti-Asian violence in the past year, which activists have blamed on former president Donald Trump’s rhetoric, especially his repeated description of Covid-19 as the “China virus.” The pageant has also drawn criticism in the past for objectifying the contestants.
In recent years, the competition has shifted image, focusing more on female empowerment and activism.
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