Current Miss Universe, Miss USA, and Miss Teen USA Reflect on a Time 'We Literally Could Not Win'

Photo: ABC

It’s only been a few days sincehistory was made in the pageant world, but Miss Teen USA Kaliegh Garris, Miss USA Cheslie Kryst, and Miss Universe Zozibini Tunzi already know the impact of their victory.

The fourth winner, Miss America Nia Franklin, was unable to be there due to a scheduling conflict. (She is currently in Connecticut, preparing to crown her Miss America 2020 successor on Dec. 19.)

“It’s such a great move forward as the world and as a society to say, ‘Look, women who were in the past [who] never had opportunities to do things like this are now here.'” Tunzi, 26, explained.

Despite their excitement for making history and “breaking barriers,” Kryst, 28, admitted that there are still times where she experiences disappointment.

“People will comment on our social media and be like, ‘Why are we talking about your race? You guys are just four, amazing women'” she said. “And I’m like, ‘Yes, we are four amazing women, but there was a time when we literally could not win!'”

Tunzi revealed that since being crowned, she’s received messages from people around the world, including parents of young girls, who have thanked her for authentically representing their race.

“I wanted to challenge that,” she said. “I didn’t want to fall into that pressure, I wanted to look like my authentic self.”

“To say, this hair can be beautiful too because it was how I was born to look,” Tunzi added.

The current Miss Universe also said she hopes her win will encourage women to be confident, far beyond their appearance.

“I think we are afraid to take up space, we are afraid to be amazing. As soon as that fear leaves us, we start building that confidence of being unapologetic,” she toldGMA. “I think we can get to the space of having a lot of women leaders who are fearless.”

Miss Teen USA Kaliegh Garris; Miss America Nia Franklin; Miss USA Cheslie Kryst; and Miss Universe Zozibini Tunzi.Derek White/Shutterstock; Kristin Callahan/ACE Pictures/Shutterstock; Taylor Hill/Getty; Paras Griffin/Getty

Tunzi became the fourth black woman to currently hold a pageant title earlier this week.

After her victory on Sunday night, she and the rest of the women were commended on social media, with a number of celebrities including Michelle Obama,Oprah Winfrey, andViola Davisvoicing their praise.

“Congratulations Miss South Africa, the new Miss Universe @zozitunzi! Agree with you…leadership is the most powerful thing we should be teaching young women today. We welcome your visit to #OWLAG, our Leadership Academy for Girls” Oprahtweeted.

“#BlackGirlMagic” added Obama.

“Beautiful message! Congrats to the gorgeous #MissUniverse 2019, @zozitunzi from South Africa! #BlackGirlMagic #MondayMotivation”wroteDavis.

When Tunzi — who is also an activist against gender-based violence — discovered that Winfrey had sent her a note, she toldGMAearlier this week that she nearly passed out.

“I fainted for a second there because I was like, ‘Is this Oprah-Oprah?’ And they were like, ‘Yeah, it’s the real one,'” she said.

In her answer during the pageant, Tunzi touched on the misconception of women being unfit for leadership. She similarly hopes that her new role as Miss Universe helps break down other stereotypes.

The new Miss Universe toldGMA, “It’s something that we should be taught as young girls and grow up to be women who really want to insert themselves in spaces of power and not feel shy about wanting to be powerful and a leader.”

source: people.com