As South African Zozibini Tunzi received the Miss Universe crown on Sunday, she said the moment made her feel "so proud" as she accomplished a long-awaited goal.
"It feels like I'm really doing something I set out to do. I really wanted so badly for young girls and women to look at me and see themselves represented and see their faces represented in mine," Tunzi told Cheddar Thursday.
When she won the crown Sunday night, the 26-year-old said "I grew up in a world where a woman who looks like me — with my kind of skin and my kind of hair — was never considered to be beautiful. I think it is time that stops today. I want children to look at me and see my face, and I want them to see their faces reflected in mine."
A self-described activist, Tunzi said she hopes to continue her work against gender-based violence and in favor of gender equality.
During the competition, Tunzi wore her hair short and natural, which she called "a symbol of my firm belief in fair representation."
This year marks the first time Miss America, Miss Teen USA, Miss USA, and Miss Universe are all black women.
"It's so important for people to see things in order to believe them," she told Cheddar.
Celebrities and excited viewers chimed in online to offer congratulations to the new Miss Universe, including Oprah who tweeted, "Agree with you...leadership is the most powerful thing we should be teaching young women today."
Cheddar's own Shannon LaNier reports from the world premiere of Disney's live action remake of The Little Mermaid, starring Hallie Bailey as Ariel.
Actress Scarlett Johansson is opening up to Variety about her legal battle against Disney. The actress filed a lawsuit against the entertainment giant back in 2021 over the decision to release Black Widow in theaters and streaming at the same time, a move she says hurt the film's box office potential.
Actor Jonathan Majors was confronted Tuesday with a revised domestic violence charge stemming from a woman’s allegations that the Marvel star twisted her arm, struck her head and shoved her into a vehicle in New York City in March.
A petit basset griffon Vendéen named for Buddy Holly won best in show at the Westminster Kennel Club dog show Tuesday night.
A woman's love of music and singing was passed down to a special member of her family - her dog. Now they're singing duets together.
The 147th annual Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show kicked off Tuesday at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. Cheddar News went behind the scenes to see how dogs and their handlers have prepared for this moment.
The top entertainment headlines for May 9, 2023.
Singer and YouTube star Dani Apple taught her dog, Clarence, a special trick: singing along with her while she's rehearsing.
'Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3' brought in $114 million domestically in its box-office debut in North America.
The top entertainment headlines for May 8, 2023.
