By CNN.COM WIRE SERVICE

Miss Mexico Andrea Meza was crowned Miss Universe at the 69th annual pageant, which was delayed several months because of Covid-19.

“MÉXICO ESTO ES PARA TI,” Meza, 26, wrote in the caption of an Instagram post — “Mexico this is for you.”

The competition was held in Hollywood, Florida, at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, and was hosted by Mario Lopez of “Access Hollywood” and Olivia Culpo, the 2012 Miss Universe.

Meza beat 73 other women; runners-up were Miss Brazil Julia Gama and Miss Peru Janick Maceta Del Castillo.

Latin America and the Caribbean were heavily represented in the Top 10: Brazil, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Mexico, Peru and Puerto Rico, as well as Australia, India and Thailand.

Miss USA — Asya Branch, a 23-year-old from Mississippi — made the first cut, to 21.

“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.”

In her final statement during the pageant, Meza spoke about beauty standards.

“We live in a society that more and more is more than advanced, and as we advance as a society, we’ve also advanced with stereotypes,” she said. “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.”https://cf6e5e902b5d5c5d95a49f1ba241668a.safeframe.googlesyndication.com/safeframe/1-0-38/html/container.html

Meza, who is from Chihuahua City, is a model and makeup artist and has a degree in software engineering, according to Miss Universe Organization’s news release.

She is also an activist, and “works closely with the Municipal Institute for Women, which aims to end gender-based violence,” the release said.

Meza also serves as the official Tourism Brand Ambassador for her hometown of Chihuahua, according to Miss Universe Organization.

Miss Universe Zozibini Tunzi, the first Black woman from South Africa to win the crown, had held the title since December 2019.

“What a moment!” Meza wrote in another Instagram post, sharing a photo of when she was crowned. “Ready for this journey!”

Meza will move to New York City “to represent the brand and various philanthropic organizations during her reign,” Miss Universe Organization said.

The-CNN-Wire
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EDITOR: Sadly Miss Cayman, Mariah Tibbetts did not make the first cut but she looked outstanding. Her National Costume was designed by Danielle Watler and featured the image of sun and sea. .