Mexico's Andrea Meza is Miss Universe2021, Miss India Adline Castelino Bags Fourth Place

Using the Miss Universe platform to convey a message was the focus at the 2021 pageant in Florida. Miss Mexico Andrea Meza was crowned Miss Universe 2021, finishing first ahead of the Brazilian and Peruvian finalists in the 69th instalment of the pageant.

During her final statement, The 26-year-old software engineer was given the topic of changing beauty standards and offered an inspiring answer.

"We live in a society that more and more is more than advanced, and as we advance as a society, we've also advanced with stereotypes," she said. "Nowadays beauty isn't only the way we look. For me, beauty radiates not only in our spirit but in our hearts and the way that we conduct ourselves. Never permit someone to tell you that you're not valuable."

Miss Myanmar used her stage time to draw attention to the horrific and heartbreaking military coup in her country.

Earlier in the competition, the reigning Miss Singapore, Bernadette Belle Wu Ong, had walked the stage wearing a red bedazzled bodysuit, cuissardes, and a red and white dress in the colours of the Singapore flag with the powerful message ‘Stop Asian Hate.’ 

Miss India Adlina Castelino, who made it to the top 5 (she bagged the number 4 position), left an impact with a powerful answer in the final round. To the question “Should countries lockdown due to COVID-19 despite the strain on their economies, or should they open their borders and risk a potential increase in infection rates?"

To this question, Adline Castelino stated, "Good evening universe. Well, coming from India and witnessing what India is experiencing right now, I have realized something very important that nothing is more important than the health of your loved ones. And you have to draw a balance between economy and health. And that can only be done when the government works with the people hand in hand and produces something that will work with the economy. Thank you." 

Miss Universe Uruguay’s Lola de los Santos Bicco also used the Miss Universe stage to stand up for the LGBTQIA+ community. Lola’s black gown has a rainbow-coloured part with the following statement: “No more hate, violence, rejection, discrimination.”