In the 60 years of the Miss Universe pageant, Angola never won the coveted sparkly prize until Monday when Leila Lopes took home the crown. Lopes, 25, beat out 88 other contestants to do what only three others in Africa ever did. In a competition filled with women with the western look, a dark-skinned, 5 feet 10 ½ inches tall African with a bright smile, winning personal and a simple hairdo came out on top.
Lopes a business student was born in the Benguela Province, Angola. She beat out about 21 others in her home country in order to represent Angola in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Thank God I'm very satisfied with the way God created me and I wouldn't change a thing, Lopes said. 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.
One of those principles seems to be giving back to those less fortunate.
The timid voice beauty on Tuesday told The Associated Press that as Miss Angola I've already done a lot to help my people. I've worked with various social causes, she added. I work with poor kids, I work in the fight against HIV. I work to protect the elderly and I have to do everything that my country needs. I think now as Miss Universe I will be able to do much more. The newly crowned Miss Universe told The AP that the victory will allow her to help her native Angola further escape its history of war and impoverishment.
She has plans to focus on fighting HIV around the globe.
Lopes responded to questions saying she has never had cosmetic surgery of any kind and that her three tips for beauty were to get a lot of sleep, use sun block even when it's not sunny and to drink lots of water. Lopes believes her smile is her best weapon in the competition, according to The AP. When asked about racism in light of the fact that she's one of the few blacks ever crowned Miss Universe 2011, Lopes said that any racist needs to seek help. It's not normal in the 21st century to think in that way. The last African to win is Mpule Kwelagobe, Miss Universe 1999 from Botswana. Other winners came from Namibia (1992) and South Africa (1978).
Congratulations Miss Angola 2011. Did you vote for Leila Lopes Miss Angola 2011.
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