The woman representing South Africa won the Miss Universe crown Sunday.
Demi-Leigh
Nel-Peters, who recently earned a business management degree, was
crowned during the event at The AXIS theater at Planet Hollywood
casino-resort on the Las Vegas Strip. The runner-up was Miss Colombia
Laura Gonzalez, while the second runner-up was Miss Jamaica Davina
Bennett.
Ninety-two women from around the world
participated in the decades-old competition. This year’s edition had the
most contestants ever, including the first ever representatives of
Cambodia, Laos and Nepal.
The 22-year-old Nel-Peters has
earned a yearlong salary, a luxury apartment in New York City for the
duration of her reign and more prizes.
Steve Harvey returned as the show’s host despite botching the 2015 Miss Universe crowning.
On Sunday, he poked fun at his mistake throughout the night. Three days
after people in the U.S. celebrated Thanksgiving, Harvey told the
audience he is “grateful for the Oscars,” referring to the best-picture
flub at this year’s Academy Awards.
Grammy-Award winner
Fergie performed her new song “A Little Work” while the contestants
walked down the stage wearing evening gowns. This year’s judges included
YouTube star Lele Pons, former judge of “America’s Next Top Model” Jay
Manuel and Wendy Fitzwilliam, the 1998 Miss Universe winner from
Trinidad and Tobago
