Pia Wurtzbach ends 42-year drought, begins journey as Miss Universe

Miss Philippins Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach reigned supreme at this year's Miss Universe Pageant ending the 42-year drought. She is the third Filipina to do so after actress Margie Moran won the prestigious beauty contest in 1973 and Gloria Diaz first won the crown in 1969.
Following a botched announcement by show host Steve Harvey, Wurzbach has shown grace and elegance in handling the issues surrounding her and first-runner up Miss Colombia, Ariadna Gutierrez.
Wurtzbach, in a video interview posted on the Miss Universe social media accounts, described the incident as a "very non-traditional crowning moment."
"I did not take the crown from her, like her I also wanted to win." Wurtzbach told reporters after the pageant concluded, saying she wished the contestant from Colombia well and hoped the Latin American community understands that "none of this was my fault."
"None of this was done on purpose. It was an honest mistake," she said, apologizing on behalf of the organisation she now represents. She said Harvey told her afterward that she "should just enjoy the moment."
In a blue gown by Filipino designer Albert Andrada, Pia was the epitome of grace under pressure as she answered the question in the Top 5 Q&A (each question was relevant to the prevailing issues in the candidates' respective countries): "Earlier this year, there was a controversy in the Philippines about the United States reopening a base in your country. Do you think the United States should have a military presence in your country?"
Pia replied, "I think that the United States and the Philippines have always had a good relationship with each other. We were colonised by the Americans and we have their culture in our traditions even up to this day. And I think that we are very welcoming with the Americans and I don't see any problem with that at all."
And then, asked during the Top 3 final Q&A why she should be the next Miss Universe, she answered with confidence, "To be a Miss Universe is both an honour and responsibility. If I were to be Miss Universe, I will use my voice to influence the youth and I would raise awareness to certain causes like HIV awareness that is timely and relevant to my country which is the Philippines. I want to show the world, the universe rather, that I'm confidently beautiful with a heart."
A Filipino-German actress, model and beauty pageant titleholder, Wurtzbach was born in Stuttgart, Germany to a German father and a Filipino mother. But she claims Cagayan de Oro City in the Philippines, where she grew up, as her home. She speaks German, Filipino and English. All her hard work has paid off as she now begins her journey as Miss Universe 2015.