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8 Things to know about the new Miss Universe Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters
Aside from the obvious — newly crowned Miss Universe Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters is a sight to behold! — there's more to the South African beauty that will surprise you.
Here are 8 tidbits about Demi-Leigh:
1. She is a fighter
Many have said that the new Miss Universe queen's edge is her strong back story — and what a story it is!
Did you know that Demi-Leigh almost didn't make it to the Miss Universe pageant because earlier this year, a month after she was crowned as Miss South Africa, a group of kidnappers robbed her at gunpoint? She successfully managed to defend herself by punching one of the men in the throat before making a quick escape.
In a report by The Sun, the beauty queen narrated the carjack story, where she mentioned there were "at least three guns pointed at me. I climbed out of the car but they told me to climb back in because I was coming with them."
"He was dazed and pushed me into the car. I forced my way out and ran as fast as I could into traffic to get help."
A post shared by Miss Universe 2017 (@demileighnp) on
2. She's a self-defense trainer
The Demi-Leigh used her experience to teach more women how to defend themselves from such situations. She actually developed a program that empowers women to fight for themselves.
A post shared by Miss Universe 2017 (@demileighnp) on
3. She has a degree in Marketing Management
Demi-Leigh ticks all the qualities of a beauty queen: good looks, check. Strong personality, check. Stunning figure, check. Academic achiever, check.
The 22-year-old beauty queen earned her degree in Business Management and Entrepreneurship last March at North West University and during her high school years she held two leadership positions.
4.She works out...hard
Demi-Leigh's figure is undeniably striking — did you see her toned abs and legs at the pageant? The girl works out hard. It has been her routine to hit the gym and do various workouts to maintain her physique and on top of that to also take care of her health, since she still has some women to train.
Early morning Clifton shoot. ???????? Credits : @jacquesdpsa
A post shared by Miss Universe 2017 (@demileighnp) on
A post shared by Miss Universe 2017 (@demileighnp) on
A post shared by Miss Universe 2017 (@demileighnp) on
5. She's a foodie
Although she hits the gym regularly, this South African beauty queen knows how to balance things out by treating herself to good food.
When you don't know what's better... the view or the food... ????????? Top by @forevernew_sa ????
A post shared by Miss Universe 2017 (@demileighnp) on
A post shared by Miss Universe 2017 (@demileighnp) on
A post shared by Miss Universe 2017 (@demileighnp) on
6. She's a water baby
Lounging at beaches is Demi-Leigh's thing! Feeling the sun on her skin, scuba diving and swimming in seas are one of the things she enjoys doing during the days when she's on a break from her beauty queen duties.
A post shared by Miss Universe 2017 (@demileighnp) on
A post shared by Miss Universe 2017 (@demileighnp) on
A post shared by Miss Universe 2017 (@demileighnp) on
7. She likes fast cars
You read that right, the new Miss Universe likes race cars and she spends some of her time on racetracks. She's even ridden cars like Nissan's GT-R and 370z, and it turns out she's an ambassador of the Japanese vehicle giant.
Match made in heaven ?????????? @nissan #nissan370z
A post shared by Miss Universe 2017 (@demileighnp) on
8. She's confidently beautiful... with a heart
Demi-Leigh may be all this and that but the biggest reason she's crowned queen is because just like the previous winners she embodies the qualities of a real Miss Universe. Demi is not only a woman of strength she is also confidently beautiful with a heart.
Get this: Demi not only helps train women in self-defense, she also helps young children and participates in programs that send aid to those in need.
She has worked with organizations that gather people to pack meals and fight hunger, including Stop Hunger Now in South Africa and Rise Against Hunger.
A post shared by Miss Universe 2017 (@demileighnp) on
A post shared by Miss Universe 2017 (@demileighnp) on
A post shared by Miss Universe 2017 (@demileighnp) on
Demi Leigh has ended a 39-year title drought for her country, she is the second South African beauty queen to be crowned Miss Universe following Margaret Gardiner in 1978.
Jamaica's Davina Bennett is Miss Universe 2nd runner-up, while Colombia's Laura Gonzalez is first runner-up.
Philippine bet Rachel Peters made an early exit at the pageant finishing at the Top 10. — LA, GMA News
