MISS Universe 2019 Zozibini Tunzi, the first black woman from South Africa to take home the title, will serve as a special guest in the 2023 coronation night of the pageant’s Philippine franchise in May.
Tunzi, who inherited the crown from Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray, will only be seen in one special segment, according to the national organization’s Director of Communications Voltaire Tayag.
While Tunzi is the third South African to take home the Miss Universe crown, she is the first black woman from the country to do so. The other South Africans to win Miss Universe are Margaret Gardiner in 1978 and Demi-Leigh Tebow in 2017.
Tunzi is also the Miss Universe pageant winner who reigned the longest because of the COVID-19 pandemic, which had temporarily halted the competition.
The coronation night for the Miss Universe Philippines 2023 will be held on May 13.
Candidates will battle it out at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City to see who will succeed Miss Universe Philippines Celeste Cortesi.
Actors Alden Richards and Xian Lim will be the main hosts for the event, while Miss Globe 2021 Maureen Montagne and events organizer Tim Yap will join them backstage.
American Idol runner-up Jessica Sanchez and South Korean singer and INFINITE member Nam Woo-Hyun are set to perform at the pageant.
SUGGESTED STORIES:
Pacquiao held to draw by Barrios in world title return
Las Vegas, United States:Manny Pacquiao's bid to make a fairytale.
BREAKING! Pacquiao-Barrios ends in majority draw
Las Vegas, United States: Mario Barrios held off a battling.
Kathryn Bernardo, Alden Richards named Box Office Heroes at 8th EDDYs
KATHRYN Bernardo and Alden Richards continue to be recognized for.
Historic pageant
The 2023 coronation of the Miss Universe Philippines 2023 is a game changer as this is the first time that the organization has allowed mothers and wives to compete.
For over 70 years, the Miss Universe Philippines organization only allowed single women aged 18-28 to join the competition. The previous rules also state that they “must not have ever been married, not had a marriage annulled, nor given birth to, or parented a child” to compete in the pageant.
This year, three mothers are part of the roster of candidates. They are Clariele Dacanay, Eileen Gonzales, and Joemay-an Leo.
