Andrea Meza of Mexico crowned Miss Universe

The new Miss Universe has been announced and the winner was in complete disbelief as she was handed the crown.

Andrea Meza of Mexico has taken out the title of Miss Universe.

It was down to Andrea and Julia Gama of Brazil for the top spot, but it was a very shocked Andrea who claimed the win.

Her predecessor Zozibini Tunzi of South Africa placed the crown on her head at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida on Monday.

The fourth runner-up was Dominican Republic, followed by India and Peru.

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Andrea Meza of Mexico has been crowned Miss Universe. Picture: Supplied

Former Miss Universe winner Zozibini Tunzi of South Africa places the crown on her head. Picture: Supplied

Zozibini, who took out the title in 2019, is the longest reigning Miss Universe after the competition was pushed back one year due to the coronavirus pandemic.

However, on Monday she finally handed over the crown to Andrea who bested 73 other contestants for the title.

Thousands of fans have since flooded social media congratulating the winner.

The model was in shock over her title win. Picture: Rodrigo Varela/Getty Images

Andrea Meza. Picture: Rodrigo Varela/Getty Images

Miss Australia Maria Thattil made it to the Top 10 of the competition, carrying herself with grace and class as she dazzled in a red bikini and sparkly full-length gown.

Maria, who was born in Australia to Indian migrants, paired her bikini look with silver stiletto heels and accessorised with a sheer pale blue cape and hoop earrings.

She opted for her hair down in soft waves and a full-coverage makeup with false lashes, eyeliner and a glossy lip.

For the next part of the competition, Maria stepped into a full-length sparkling gown, with a high-slit that exposed her left leg.

Miss Australia Maria Thattil appears onstage in a red bikini. Picture: Rodrigo Varela/Getty Images

The fitted dress featured a plunging neckline with sheer panelling

On Friday, Maria told fans why she chose to apply for the pageant.

“Why did I compete? Because barriers are made to be broken, and ceilings were meant to be shattered. Preliminaries finished with heart and soul,” she wrote.

Maria, who is a influencer and fashion blogger from Melbourne, was crowned this year’s Miss Universe Australia last month.

The 28-year-old made it to the Top 10 of the competition. Picture: Supplied

Ahead of the competition on Monday, Maria said the experience had been amazing.

“It is our last breakfast as Miss Universe contestants. I mean it is exciting to see a new chapter for everyone irrespective of the outcome,” she said in an Instagram Story.

“But also bitter because I am going to miss my roomie, I am going to miss being with the girls every day and this crazy schedule we have now got accustomed to.

“And I think there’s all the feels that it is so fast-paced it’s hard to stop sometimes, so I am just going to try to be really present in the day, grateful, confident and this is what we’ve all worked for.”

On Friday, Maria took to the pageant stage in her national costume — a striking, black and white feathered dress — however she made the “heartbreaking” discovery that the outfit’s most spectacular element had malfunctioned.

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Maria in the national costume. Picture: Rodrigo Varela/Getty Images

“Five minutes before going on stage, we realised the motor on my wings was damaged in transit and they had broken,” she wrote on Instagram.

Despite the stressful discovery, Maria said she had remembered the advice of her family that “when things go ‘wrong’ that you flex your muscles of grit and resilience”.

In a separate post Maria explained the dress symbolises the beauty and wonder in being open for change.

“As the Black Swan defied generalised assumptions, similarly, I have challenged many norms in order to stand as Miss Universe Australia, and believe in breaking barriers and expectations of women and people of colour in society,” she wrote online.

The Melbourne-based influencer has a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a masters in human resources and works in talent acquisition for the government.