Miss Angola Leila Lopes becomes the Second Black African to win Miss Universe

It seemed almost like a token at first… How many African contestants have we seen make it through to the top five only to fail the judges’ grilling or shortly before then? But one thing was for sure… she was beautiful, her smile so radiant… her eyes so bright and honest and her chocolate smooth skin so perfect… But whatever… Making it to the top 16 as the only African among some stunning beauties… there was no chance we were going to get a chance to crown an African Miss Universe in 2011. And the heavily accented English video clip of the beauty trying to finish her university degree and becoming a successful business woman seemed almost boring while the others were rock climbing and playing beach volleyball in their bikinis as “they saved the world”.

When the top 16 paraded swim suits, it was confirmed to the average eyes that Miss Angola was not going to make it… She looked too innocent… too pure… The others looked overly confident in their strides as Miss Angola innocently smiled almost out of her league. The fans ratings’ clearly showed her as an underdog by the swim suit section.

Miss Universe 2011 Leila Lopes.

But with innocence came such grace… and such purity… such finesse… The fans noticed… The judges noticed… The crowd in the venue noticed and she very quickly became a very clear favorite even as the commentators where not getting it. By evening gown, while the other ladies chose long flowing dresses, everything about Miss Angola quietly said, “I am different.” The crowd yelled most not for their home girl Miss Brazil… they yelled for another lady who also spoke the same language. They yelled for Miss Angola.

“I know the crowd’s favorite is Miss Angola,” an NBC commentator noted. “But I still think there is a chance for Miss China.”

Yes… the chance was there for Miss China, Miss Brazil, Miss Philipinnes, Miss Ukraine… and Miss Angola, surprised at her popularity and already shedding victory tears, as they all make it to the top 5. And as they called out their names, it became clear that the yelling crowd and television audience had only one winner in mind… not their homegirl Miss Brazil… But the chocolate innocent elegance of Miss Angola. The judges were given a clear winner… it was no longer their choice… The crown was only for Miss Angola to lose. Her fate lied in the judges’ questions.

First came Miss Ukraine who was asked about who she would trade places with if given a chance. Though using an interpreter, she begins almost with a little stumble but quickly picks up with an intelligent answer. “I simply live my life and I am satisfied with it but if I had to trade lives with someone it would be Cleopatra… a leader and strong woman worthy of respect.”

The second question was about changing religious beliefs when marrying the one you loved. Miss Philipines answered that she would not marry that person if she was asked to change her religious beliefs. Her love for God, she said, came first.

Third up was the stunning 6ft tall Miss China who stood tall next to the hosts like an elegant statue. Asked if she supported public nudity… another simple answer, “Every country has their own rules and regulations which we should respect and be understanding…”

Fourth at the podium was Brazil… amongst a lot of cheers from the home crowd. What she would do to avoid a war she did not agree with… Confident… through a Portuguese interpreter, she greets the crowd first and,  “I would explain to people the première quality is respect... and no war is based on respect… but a lot of misunderstanding and lack of education.”

Miss Universe 2011 Leila Lopes.

And so the final lady is called and at this point the crowd is once again yelling and pointing to a clear winner. Her question is from Judge Lea Salonga, a Filipina singer and actress. Asked what she would change about herself. She first greets the crowd in Portuguese as if she was at home. And through the same interpreter as Miss Brazil, amongst interruptions by the cheering crowd, she begins:

“Thank God I'm very satisfied with the way God created me and I wouldn't change a thing.” And stops and smiles heartily as the yelling crowd interrupt. "I consider myself a woman endowed with inner beauty. I have acquired many wonderful principles from my family and I intend to follow these for the rest of my life."

She does not stop there…

“Let me offer you one piece of advice… we should respect one another…” and is timed out and becomes the only contestant to be interrupted by the buzzer… Clearly not a woman of few words.

She had taken the floor amongst cheers and no one wanted her to stop… She seemed not to be competing but simply talking to her people.

By the time the runner ups are being called the show had become pleasantly predictable…

4^th Runner Up is Miss China…

3^rd Runner Up is Miss Phillipines…

Three women remain and only one will wear the crown…

2^nd Runner Up is Brazil… Among some heavy long cheering from the crowd.

“Ukraine and Angola…. Please step forward and join us." asks the hosts as the two ladies grab each other in the all too familiar finalists' hand holding. "Their fate has been determined and there is no turning back… The moment we have been waiting for…”

“The New Miss Universe 2011 is Miss Angola…”

Miss Universe 2011 Leila Lopes.