![Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters](http://missosology.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/mu17za2.jpg)
After 39 long years since Margaret Gardiner won South Africa’s first ever Miss Universe crown, South Africa emerged victorious once again as Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters walked away with the prestigious crown. The pageant was held in Las Vegas where a total of 92 ladies from around the world participated. Hailed as first runner-up is Colombia’s Laura González. Miss Jamaica Davina Bennett was named 2nd runner-up. Completing the Top Five are Miss Thailand Maria Poonlertlarp and Miss Venezuela Keysi Sayago.
The victory of Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters confirmed the earlier assessments that she is a top favourite. She consistently placed high in Missosology’s Hot Picks but was relegated in the final stretch due to her shaky prelim performance. But Demi-Leigh saved her best for the finals night where she aced the gown and swimsuit segments. She wowed the crowd with her perfect answer on a question about the challenges women face in the workplace.
![Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters](http://missosology.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/mu17za3.jpg)
“In some places, women get paid 75% of what men earn for doing the same job, working the same hours — and I do not believe that this is right,” she said. “I think we should have equal work for equal pay for women all over the world.”
![](http://missosology.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/mu17top5.jpg)
Missosology predicted Miss Thailand Maria Poonlertlarp will take it all but she faltered in the Top 5 interviews. Making it to the Top 10 are Miss Brazil Monalysa Alcântara, Miss Canada Lauren Howe, Miss Philippines Rachel Peters, Miss Spain Sofía del Prado and Miss United States Kára McCullough.
![Maria Poonlertlarp, Miss Universe Thailand 2017; Laura González, Miss Universe Colombia 2017; Christina Peiris, Miss Universe Sri Lanka 2017; Kára McCullough, Miss USA 2017; Ruth Quarshie, Miss Universe Ghana 2017; Monalysa Alcântara, Miss Universe Brazil 2017; Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters, Miss Universe South Africa 2017; Lauren Howe, Miss Universe Canada 2017; Sofia del Prado, Miss Universe Spain 2017; Rachel Peters, Miss Universe Philippines 2017; Cailín Áine Ní Toibín, Miss Universe Ireland 2017; Keysi Sayago, Miss Universe Venezuela 2017; Shanaelle Petty, Miss Universe Croatia 2017; Davina Bennett, Miss Universe Jamaica 2017; Anna Burdzy, Miss Universe Great Britain 2017; and Roxette Qiu, Miss Universe China 2017; wait to be announced as top 10 finalists in Yamamay swimwear during The MISS UNIVERSE® Competition airing on FOX at 7:00 PM ET live/PT tape-delayed on Sunday, November 26th from the AXIS at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino in Las Vegas, NV. The contestants have spent the last few weeks touring, filming, rehearsing and preparing to compete for the Miss Universe crown in Las Vegas. HO/The Miss Universe Organization](http://missosology.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/mu17top16.jpg)
This year’s format was radically altered with 4 ladies were chosen from 3 regions: Asia/Africa, Europe and the Americas. The other 4 were chosen as wildcards. Making it to the Top 16 are Miss China Roxette Qiu, Miss Croatia Shanaelle Petty, Miss Ghana Ruth Quashie, Miss Great Britain Anna Burdzy, Miss Ireland Cailín Toíbín and Miss Sri Lanka Christina Peiris.
![Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters, Miss Universe South Africa 2017; Laura González, Miss Universe Colombia 2017; and Davina Bennett, Miss Universe Jamaica 2017; on stage during the Top 3 Final Look segment of The MISS UNIVERSE® Competition airing on FOX at 7:00 PM ET live/PT tape-delayed on Sunday, November 26th from the AXIS at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino in Las Vegas, NV. The contestants have spent the last few weeks touring, filming, rehearsing and preparing to compete for the Miss Universe crown in Las Vegas. HO/The Miss Universe Organization](http://missosology.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/mu17top3.jpg)
Steve Harvey returns this year as Miss Universe host for the third time. Musical artists Fergie and Rachel Platten gave a much needed entertainment jolt for the pageant. Sitting as members of the jury are Miss Universe 1998 Wendy Fitzwilliam, TV host Jay Manuel, Ross Mathews, Megan Olivi, Lele Pons, and Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach.