Can Natasha Joubert Take The Miss Universe 2021 Crown?

Set the alarm and get the coffee plunger ready as South African hopeful Natasha Joubert steps onto stage for her country at the 69th Miss Universe pageant, broadcast on May 17 at 2am SAST, on 1Magic [DStv Channel 103].

Zozibini Tunzi was the first black woman from South Africa to win the Miss Universe crown back in 2019.
Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood is home of the world’s first and only Guitar Hotel.
In 2021, the Miss Universe pageant boasts an all-female selection committee.
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It’s down-to-the-wire for team South Africa and Miss Universe contender Natasha Joubert as months of preparation come down to 3-hours, up against 74 of the planet’s most gorgeous women. Yet South Africa is hoping for a back-to-back win.

Miss Universe Natasha Joubert — Natasha Joubert, Miss Universe South Africa 2020, Andrea Meza, Miss Universe Mexico 2020, Lola De los Santos, Miss Universe Uruguay 2020 and Estefania Soto Torres, Miss Universe Puerto Rico 2020 enjoy dinner at Buca di Beppo Italian Restaurant in Davie, Florida on May 11, 2021. Image: Benjamin Askinas, 69th Miss Universe Competition

It has been the most incredible experience working with Natasha and seeing her growth and commitment towards becoming the best version of herself as has been evident by her participation at Miss Universe. We, as the Miss South Africa Organisation, are so proud of her and how she is competing to get that elusive back-to-back crown for South Africa.

// Miss South Africa Creative Director, Werner Wessels

Although Natasha is a hot favourite to take the Miss Universe title according to polls on social media, global betting sites are placing her in the Top 5, with a possible 4th place finish.

There have been three South African Miss Universe title holders to date, two of those in the last 4-years. Margaret Gardiner took the title back in 1978, followed by Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters (now Tebow) in 2017 and finally Zozibini Tunzi in 2019, the longest reigning Miss Universe in the pageants history.

If Natasha does manage to take it, it’ll be a “magic double” for team South Africa, with a back-to-back consecutive victory having only happened once before in the history of the pageant. Venezuela, back in 2008 and 2009, was the first and last country to take a Miss Universe title in succession. It would be a first in the competitions history for a country to take the tile three times in a row.

What would make it even more unusual is to have Natasha, a non-Miss South Africa title holder, take the Miss Universe top spot.

I know I have big shoes to fill but Zozi and Demi have inspired me and given me great advice. I will go out there and give it my all – the preparations have gone well. I just want to thank all South Africans for their fabulous support. The messages I have received mean the world to me.

// Miss Universe South Africa, Natasha Joubert

South Africans are encouraged to download the Miss Universe official app and vote Natasha into the Top 21. Natasha won’t be the only South African at the 69th Miss Universe pageant. Demi-Leigh Tebow will provide expert analysis, whilst current Miss Universe Zozibini Tunzi will hand over her crown to her successor.

‘Mr Worldwide’ and American rapper Pitbull, will form part of the entertainment line-up on the night. The show will be hosted by Mario Lopez and Olivia Culpo live from the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel Casino in Hollywood, Florida, in the United States. Lopez last served as host during Miss Universe 2007 while Culpo was crowned Miss Universe 2012.

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