What an incredible night! Congratulations to Zozibini Tunzi from South Africa, who was crowned Miss Universe at Tyler Perry Studios in Atlanta, Georgia, USA on December 8, 2019!
I am incredibly grateful that I had the opportunity to meet some of my greatest role models at the Miss Universe pageant on Sunday—two of my favorite Miss USAs, Sarah Rose Summers and Nia Sanchez, and Miss Universe 2017 (who is also engaged to Tim Tebow), Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters! They were all so genuine as they wished me the best of luck as I compete for the title of Miss Florida USA next month, which was so inspiring and motivating!
I also caught our last Miss USA to win Miss Universe (and now international supermodel) Olivia Culpo for a quick hug and chat between commercial breaks, and then later I was right next to her while she was live on camera! We were sitting right behind Puerto Rico’s and Colombia’s cheering sections, so I was also on camera whenever they showed Miss Colombia’s grandmother who flew all the way to Atlanta to cheer on her granddaughter as she competes for Miss Universe! (If you go back to re-watch the pageant, I am the blonde girl two rows behind Miss Colombia’s grandmother).
Most importantly, this all would not have been possible if it weren’t for my new friends at CHI Haircare (official sponsors of the Miss Universe Organization). Thank you Joseph Saad and Patrick Kalle for giving me a quick hair touch up in the elevator on the way to the pageant and for getting me a ticket to this sold-out show! Also, thank you for my new CHI hair styling tools! 😉 And last but certainly not least, shout-out to my dear friend, Kisa Motiwala, for being my “partner in crime” for the weekend and for letting me borrow this gorgeous Sherri Hill dress of yours!
I will forever cherish the memories made this weekend!!! ❤️
Make sure to check out my “Miss Universe” story highlight on Instagram (by clicking here) for behind-the-scenes videos from my experience at Miss Universe!
Heather Lee O'Keefe 