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Miss Mexico Andrea Meza was crowned Miss Universe at the 69th annual pageant held at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida of the United States.
Meza, 26, who is from Chihuahua City, is a model and make-up artist and has a degree in software engineering, according to Miss Universe Organization's news release.
Being an activist, she works closely with the Municipal Institute for Women, which aims to end gender-based violence, said the release.
Meza also serves as the official Tourism Brand Ambassador for Chihuahua city, according to Miss Universe Organization.
Sunday night marked the Miss Universe competition's return to television, after the pageant was cancelled in 2020 for the first time due to the coronavirus pandemic, reports AFP.
Andrea Meza beat 73 other contestants from around the globe, including Miss Brazil Julia Gama, who was runner-up, and Miss Peru Janick Maceta Del Castillo, who was second runner-up, to secure the title.
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.
"I am so honored to have been selected among the 73 other amazing women I stood with tonight," Meza said in a news release from Miss Universe Organization. "It is a dream come true to wear the Miss Universe crown, and I hope to serve the world through my advocacy for equality in the year to come and beyond," said Meza.
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"Nowadays beauty isn't only the way we look. For me, beauty radiates not only in our spirit, but in our hearts and the way that we conduct ourselves. Never permit someone to tell you that you're not valuable," she added.
