The Miss Universe winner was announced last night, and Andrea Meza, who represented her country Mexico, took the crown home. Meza is the third woman from Mexico to win the Miss Universe pageant. The runner-up was Julia Gama, who represented Brazil and the second runner-up was Janick Maceta Del Castillo, who represented Peru.

Meza, 26, graduated from the Autonomous University of Chihuahua with a degree in software engineering, which she is proud of because it is a male-dominated field.

Meza is a certified makeup artist, model and ambassador for Chihuaha’s tourist office, the city where she was born and raised.

Meza is also a women’s rights activist and works with the Municipal Institute for Women, which is dedicated to ending violence against women.

“I see myself as an ambassador for human rights,” she said. “It is something that matters a lot to me and I want young women to fight for their rights.”

In her speech, Meza also spoke about body positivity and the challenges women face because of society’s beauty standards.

“As we advance as a society, we’ve also advanced with stereotypes,” she said. “For me, beauty radiates not only in our spirit but in our hearts and the way we conduct ourselves. Never permit someone to tell you that you are not valuable.”

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