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."
On this episode of ChedHER: Soyini Chan Shue, CEO of City Safe Partners, explains her career journey from NYPD to CEO of a security company; Traci Wilk, Chief People Officer at The Learning Experience, explains the top skills and traits of a Chief People Officer - which is one of the fastest-growing job roles; Fonta Gilliam, CEO and Co-Founder of Wellthi, breaks down how she's creating a social app to help you reach your financial goals; Courtney Wiggins, Owner and Artisan at The Winsome Apothecary, is this week's Female Founder spotlight and breaks down how she's creating products that are good for the environment and your self care routine.
Vivian Barna, founder and president of All About Rabbits Rescue, Inc, explains what it takes to have a pet rabbit and encourages rabbit adoption.
Chef Danielle Sepsy shares tips on how to set a beautiful Easter table.
Lucasfilm announced Friday three new live-action films in the franchise at Star Wars Celebration Europe 2023. One of the films will feature the return of Daisy Ridley as Rey.
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A Florida family on temporary hard times after a father underwent major surgery. After things picked up, the mother surprised their sons with a new home after living with friends and a hotel.
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The top entertainment headlines for April 6, 2023.
A Virginia fifth grader has made headlines for spotting an error in his science textbook. He noticed an igneous rock and a sedimentary rock had been labeled incorrectly and told his teacher who then helped get the message to the publisher, Five Ponds Press. The publisher reportedly sent a handwritten letter thanking the fifth grader for catching the error.
A two-year-toddler showed up with gifts in hand at the hospital to meet his new baby brother.
