The Western Cape’s very own Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters, Miss South Africa 2017, has been crowned Miss Universe. The win makes her the first Miss South Africa to take the celebrated title since Margaret Gardiner won in 1978.
Demi competed against 91 contestants from around the world at the pageant held in Las Vegas in the US. This year’s show saw the biggest number of entrants in the history of the competition.
Runners-up were Miss Colombia (first princess) and Miss Jamaica (second princess).
Let’s welcome #MissUniverse 2017 Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters from South Africa to the sisterhood! ? pic.twitter.com/Sw0SDQZjOJ
— Miss Universe (@MissUniverse) November 27, 2017
Congratulations to Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters, the winner of the 2017 #MissUniverse competition! pic.twitter.com/JYuQYc3Lvo
— Miss Universe (@MissUniverse) November 27, 2017
South Africa, thank you for support and love throughout my #MissUniverse journey. I may be the new Miss Universe but I will always be your Miss South Africa – we did it! ?????? pic.twitter.com/QwHAXGsdVA
— Demi-LeighNel-Peters (@DemiLeighNP) November 27, 2017
— Demi-LeighNel-Peters (@DemiLeighNP) November 27, 2017
Demi said in her acceptance speech that she was both proud and humbled to have won, and said that her dreams had come true.
“I resonate with everything that the Miss Universe organisation stands for, especially empowering women across the globe. I have always tried to be the example of the change I want to see in the world, and this platform will give me the opportunity to make a difference. I hope I have made South Africans proud and that I will continue to do so during my reign,” she said.
Photography Twitter