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."
Authorities rescued a 17-year-old boy in Southern California after he was kidnapped and held hostage for four days by captors who threatened to harm him if his family did not pay a $500,000 ransom.
The landmark Washington National Cathedral unveiled new stained-glass windows Saturday with a theme of racial justice, filling the space that had once held four windows honoring Confederate Gens. Robert E. Lee and Stonewall Jackson.
Just four months after announcing that the hot dog-shaped Wienermobile was changing its name to the Frankmobile, the distinctive wiener on wheels is reverting to the original.
Here is some music you can listen to ahead of the weekend.
'Crossroads,' the 2002 film which featured Britney Spears, is returning to theaters.
"The Expend4bles" is one of many flicks that you can catch Friday.
A peek at the 'Squid Game' competition show was revealed.
A set of twins born prematurely left NICU after 138 days and were celebrated with a graduation ceremony.
With the cost of food so high, going grocery shopping can be stressful. Trae Bodge, a shopping expert with Truetrae.com, spoke with Cheddar News to provide some money-saving tips when stocking your pantry.
The cost of raising a child is now estimated at $237,000, not including college, according to a new report. Matt Schultz, chief credit analyst with LendingTree, joined Cheddar News to provide tips on how to budget for having a family.
