#Miss Mexico Andrea Meza crowned 2021 Miss Universe

For the first time since the onset of the coronavirus pandemic, the world has a new Miss Universe. 

After Miss Universe 2019 Zozibini Tunzi got an extra year with the crown as a result of COVID-19 canceling the 2020 contest, the title was finally passed Sunday to Miss Mexico Andrea Meza. 

“I am so honored to have been selected among the 73 other amazing women I stood with tonight,” Meza, 26, said in a press release after the 69th annual pageant. “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 addition to holding the title of the most beautiful woman in the world, Meza has a degree in software engineering and is a certified makeup artist, model, activist and vegan. She hails from Chihuahua City, Mexico, where she also is the official “Tourism Brand Ambassador.” When she’s not working with the Municipal Institute for Women, which advocates for ending gender-based violence, she enjoys sandboarding and rappelling. 

In the competition’s final statement round, Meza addressed the idea that beauty is not only about having a conventionally attractive external aesthetic — it’s also about one’s inner beliefs.

“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 said, via a translator, E! reported. “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.”

“Mexico this is for you,” she wrote, in Spanish, in an Instagram post announcing her win. 

“Confidently beautiful,” she captioned a second image.

Maza took home the crown Sunday at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida. The event was co-hosted by Mario Lopez of “Access Hollywood” and 2012 Miss Universe winner Olivia Culpo, with a performance from Puerto Rican singer Luis Fonsi.