Miss Universe crown goes to South Africa’s Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters
Beauties from across the globe converged in Las Vegas Sunday, where Miss South Africa was crowned Miss Universe.
Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters, 22, edged out her rivals from Colombia and Jamaica to take the crown.
Watch: Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters is interviewed after being crowned Miss Universe
Nel-Peters, a graduate in business management, said her disabled half-sister has been among her great inspirations.
The runner-up was Miss Colombia Laura Gonzalez.
Second runner-up was Miss Jamaica Davina Bennett – who works with deaf students and is working on a new sign language app.
In the pageant’s 66th year, nearly 100 women from around the globe – including first-timers from Cambodia, Laos and Nepal – took part.
The current Miss Universe, Iris Mittenaere from France, crowned her successor to a din of squeals and cheers.
American comic turned TV host Steve Harvey returned to the Miss Universe stage for a third time. In 2015 he made a mistake heard round the world when he announced the wrong person as winner, resulting in an extremely uncomfortable, tense correction.
Grammy-winning singer Fergie and pop star Rachel Platten provided the musical entertainment for Sunday’s show.
Nearly 100 women from around the globe vied for the title. Runner-up was Miss Colombia, while the second runner-up was Miss Jamaica