DEMI-LEIGH NEL-PETERS , SOUTH AFRICA WON MISS UNIVERSE 2017
DEMI-LEIGH NEL-PETERS , SOUTH AFRICA WON MISS UNIVERSE 2017 (LAS VEGAS) — Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters, who represented South Africa, won the Miss Universe crown Sunday. The 22-year-old, who wants to use her reign to champion HIV/AIDS and self-defense causes, was crowned at The AXIS theater at Planet Hollywood casino-resort on the Las Vegas Strip. “HIV/AIDS is a very big problem in my country South Africa, so I hope to stand as an advocate for that,” she said before reporters after the event. Along with the title, Nel-Peters earned a yearlong salary, a luxury apartment in New York City for the duration of her reign and more prizes. She is the second woman from her home country to earn the crown. The runner-up was Miss Colombia Laura Gonzalez, while the second runner-up was Miss Jamaica Davina Bennett. Ninety-two women from around the world participated in the decades-old competition. This year’s edition had the most contestants ever, including the first...