CIt has been days since the world has seen the newly crowned South Africa’s Zozibini Tunzi as the new Miss Universe. However, until now, her performance last Sunday, December 8, in Atlanta, Georgia, still remains the talk of the town.
Tunzi outshined more than 90 women from around the world, including her finals co-competitors, the candidates from Mexico and Puerto Rico. While it is definitely not debatable how her looks, grace, and elegance are deserving of the crown, it is her wit and eloquence that sealed the deal.
Of course, her predecessor, Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Grey, has something to say about Zozibini’s Q&A performance.
During the question and answer segment of this year’s Miss Universe, the top 3 candidates were asked: “What is the most important thing we should be teaching young girls today?”
Zozibini Tunzi’s winning answer goes this way: “I think the most important thing we should be teaching young girls today is leadership. It’s something that has been lacking in young girls and women for a very long time, not because we don’t want to, but because of what society has labeled women to be. I think we are the most powerful beings in the world and that we should be given every opportunity and that is what we should be teaching these young girls, to take up space, nothing is as important as taking up space in society and cementing yourself, thank you.”
Miss South Africa Zozibini Tunzi’s win represents the progress that the Miss Universe made throughout the years. Photo: Miss Universe
So what does Catriona Grey think of her successor’s answer? Well, she thinks it’s “amazing.” In an interview, Grey said that she agrees with Tunzi that teaching young girls how to become leaders is very important.
“Because it’s not only being a leader in that you’re leading a group of people but more so feeling empowered in yourself that you can make your own decisions and feel empowered to input your opinion or just speak up,” she explained.
“Because I feel like a lot of us are not brought up in a way that we do have mentors around us, or you don’t feel that we can raise our voice or really share how we feel.”
Catriona thinks that most people are not living their lives to the fullest and maximizing their opportunities.
“We don’t allow ourselves the full opportunity,” she related. “So allowing children to experience being able to lead in a way that’s not necessarily dictating to other people but pulling themselves up. I think she (Zozibini) had an amazing answer.”
Catriona Grey is Philippines’ fourth Miss Universe titleholder, following Pia Wurtzbach, Gloria Diaz, and Margie Moran. In an Instagram post, Catriona thanked all the people who supported her throughout her Miss Universe journey.
“My last night as reigning @missuniverse and my emotions are all over the place. But underneath the noise, the underlying tone is gratitude. Gratitude for this amazing opportunity…for all of you amazing souls who have endlessly supported me and joined me on this journey,” Grey said on Instagram.