What The Top 3 Miss Universe 2019 Candidates Said During The Coronation Night

Miss Universe 2019 saw some of the most articulate and intelligent women to ever grace the pageant's stage. The coronation night took place on December 8 at the Tyler Perry Studios in Atlanta, Georgia, and the competition was definitely tough. The candidates who made it to the Top 20, including our very own Miss Universe-Philippines 2019 Gazini Ganados, has standout qualities that made them deserving of their spots. But in the end, it was South Africa's Zozibini Tunzi, a 26-year-old public relations student, who won and was the first to be crowned with the new Mouawad Power of Unity crown.

Zozibini, who should now get used to being referred to as Miss Universe 2019, stood out from the beginning of the competition. She's beautiful. She's eloquent. She knows what she's talking about. She has a clear grasp of the messages she wishes to communicate. But credit goes to the other two who completed the Miss Universe 2019 Top 3 lineup—Mexico's Sofía Aragón (a 25-year-old writer and speaker) and Puerto Rico's Madison Anderson (a 24-year-old model)—as well, for doing a great job with their speeches and answers during the most nerve-wracking segments of the pageant.

Here's a look back at the impressive statements the three made at Miss Universe 2019 coronation night:

Top 3 Q&A portion:

What is the most important thing we should be teaching young girls today?

South Africa's Zozibini Tunzi: "I think the most important thing we should be teaching young girls today is leadership. It's something that has been lacking in young girls and women for a very long time, not because we don't want to but because of what society has labeled women to be. I think we are the most powerful beings in the world and that we should be given every opportunity and that is what we should be teaching these young girls to take up space. Nothing is important as taking up space in society and cementing yourself. Thank you."

Mexico's Sofía Aragón: "Steve, it's very important to teach young girls today the importance of their true value. We see so many perfection in social media, perfect lives, perfect bodies, perfect faces, perfect relationships. Nothing is that real. We have to teach that who they are is already amazing, who they are is already worth it, because what they really are is not quite what it looks like. It's what  they feel, what they act, and the way they react to the world. I believe a girl is worth what she has to offer to the world way more than the way she looks."

Puerto Rico's Madison Anderson: "There's so many things that I would love to teach young girls if I have the opportunity to be the next Miss Universe, such as in a world where so many people wear masks, it's such a beautiful thing to see an authentic soul, to embrace your uniqueness, to embrace who you are. You don't know who you can inspire just by being you, so celebrate that. Thank you."

Top 20 announcement Q&A

You start out each day by singing very loudly, what's been your go-to song this week?

South Africa's Zozibini Tunzi: "You know Steve, to pair up my singing, I like to self-affirm every morning. I look at myself in the mirror, and I say you're beautiful, you're capable, and you're intelligent. So this week, I was listening to the 'Brown Skin Girl' just to activate that black girl magic."

You worked with a life coach to prepare for Miss Universe, did you learn anything valuable and what could you just tell me for free?

Puerto Rico's Madison Anderson: "I learned many lessons but one lesson in particular that always resonates with me is that the most revolutionary thing that we can do is just be who we are and despite our critics, we have to continue dominating our lives with a confident heart and a greater soul."

Recently, so many countries have seen protests in their streets. Some have led to violence. Is protest a positive way to create change?

Mexico's Sofía Aragón: "I believe in the cause. I believe in creating change, and I do believe in raising our voices. We need to be heard, and some of these protests are really powerful and they can create a positive impact. But, I do not believe in violence, because violence is always gonna create violence. I really believe that what we should do is to come together, raise our voices, and make an impact in the best possible way ever through these kinds of platforms like Miss Universe, through the kinds of platforms like TED Talks, that's why I'm here. And I really believe that that's what you should do. Thank you."

Closing statement

Mexico's Sofía Aragón: "I think it's revolutionary Miss Universe is looking for a female leader who's willing to inspire others not to be like her but to be more like themselves. As a mental and emotional health advocate, I wanna teach the girls that for a beauty pageant and a beauty platform, there's nothing that beauty cannot withhold. I think the most important thing is to seek progress, not perfection."

South Africa's Zozibini Tunzi: "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 beautiful. And I think that this 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. Thank you."

Puerto Rico's Madison Anderson: "Being on the stage of Miss Universe is not just a dream. I believe that I found my mission. It's a representation of dedication, resilience, and perseverance. I do believe that my mission is to show the world that magic happens when we refuse to give up, because the universe always listens to a stubborn heart. Thank you."

Photos from @missuniverse