Another Peters wins Miss Universe 2017 Philippines finishes in the Top 10

South Africa’s Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters lived up to her billing as odds-makers favorite to win the 66th Miss Universe title. Nel-Peters bested 91 other contestants, including the Philippines’ Rachel Peters, to be crowned 2017 Miss Universe at the pageant finals held at The Axis at Planet Hollywood in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA Sunday night (Monday morning in Manila).

Miss Universe 2016 Iris Mittenaere of France, who won in Manila in January, passed on her crown to Nel-Peters, the second South African to win the crown after Margaret Gardiner in 1978. “It has been 39 years since a South African wore the Miss Universe crown and I promise to dedicate and commit myself to ensure the crown will once again be on South African soil,” Nel-Peters said earlier after the winning the right to represent her country which was won under controversy after fellow contestants alleged that she had a “special relationship” with two of the judges.

Nel-Peters is a 22-year-old, business management graduate from North-West University from Sedgefield, Western Cape. She has been helping women to learn self-defense after a bad experience with criminals. She has said that her biggest motivation comes from her half-sister who has a disability.

Peters, who made the Top 16 as wild card (3 assigned by prelim judges/MUO and 1 winner of the popular vote from any region) entered the Top 10 after the evening gown competition where she wore a stunning, embroidered blue-gray gown with a high slit designed by Val Taguba which highlighted her well-toned, sleek, figure body. This is the second time that the Philippine representative did not make the Top 5 round after MJ Lastimosa at the 63rd edition of Miss Universe in 2014.

The 26-year-old, Filipino-British International Studies and Business/Tourism graduate said in her video presentation that she has set up a coffee shop in Siragao, a surfing capital in the Philippines shoul, to inspire women to pursue their dreams.
         
Miss Colombia Laura Gonzalez finished as first-runner up while Miss Jamaica Davina Bennett was named second-runner up. Also in the Top 5 were Miss Venezuela Keysi Sayago and Miss Thailand Maria Poonlertlarp.

Miss USA Kára McCullough, Miss Canada Lauren Howe, Miss Spain Sofia del Prado and Miss Brazil Monalysa Alcântara also made the Top 10 list. Rounding out the Top 16 were China’s Roxana Qiu, Croatia’s Shanaelle Petty, Ghana’s Ruth Quashie, Great Britain’s Anna Burdzy, Ireland’s Cailín Toíbín and Sri Lanka’s  Christina Peiris.

The Miss Universe Organization has applied a new format in the selection of the Top 16 with 4 in each region of the Americas, Europe and the combined Asia/Africa/Ocenia, while the remaining 4 as the preliminary judges’ choices and the fan vote. Making their debuts were Laos' Souphaphone Somvichith, Cambodia's By Sotheary and Nepal's Nagma Shrestha. Named best in National Costume Contest was Japan’s Momoko Abe.

Steve Harvey hosted for the 3rd time with model Ashley Graham, celebrity stylist Carson Kressley and runway expert Lu Sierra helping out. Former Black-Eyed-Pea  Fergie and Emmy award-winner and international pop star Rachel Platten performed on stage during the three-hour special programming event aired live on FOX in the United States.

The Judges were Hollywood Today host Ross Mathews, fashion correspondent Jay Manuel, top internet influencer Lele Pons, Ufc backstage reprter Megan Olivi, hair care/spa products company founder Farouk Shami, 1998 Miss Universe Wendy Fitzwilliam and 2015 Miss Universe Pia Wurtzbach. Wurtzbach, who was gorgeous in a red gown, said “it’s hard to be a judge than Miss Universe, and the girls are all incredible and it’s really difficult to pick. Report by Eton Concepcion

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