By choosing deliberately to take up space, the new Miss Universe has used pageantry’s enormous audience to stage feminist interventions and do the work of politics.
Steve Harvey’s booming voice declares, “Now we are down to South Africa and Puerto Rico.” These are the final moments of the Miss Universe pageant at the Tyler Perry Studios in Atlanta.
The South African beauty queen clasps Ms Puerto Rica’s hands firmly. Both women breathe out heavily. Anxious. Excited.
Steve Harvey’s voice reverberates across the room. “Only one of you can be crowned Miss Universe. If for any reason the winner is unable to fulfil her duties, the runner up will take her place.”
Both women are clearly nervous. Their stillness gives way to fidgeting.
“Good luck to you both,” chimes Harvey.
Finally, he is ready with the result.
“The new Miss Universe is…”
Pause.
“South Africa.”
Noah recognises this and begins the work of allyship. He is committed to the act of listening, critically engaging his feminist interlocutor with respect and understanding. Tunzi is about to cement herself into this discussion and to take up space. Noah will not get into her way.
Source - Newframe.com
Zozibini Tunzi is iridescent. Her 4c fade perfectly frames her symmetrical face. She is undeniably beautiful. Draped in a Biji Gibbs gown, inspired by the African soil and the Eastern Cape’s coastline at sunrise, Tunzi stills herself.
Steve Harvey’s booming voice declares, “Now we are down to South Africa and Puerto Rico.” These are the final moments of the Miss Universe pageant at the Tyler Perry Studios in Atlanta.
The South African beauty queen clasps Ms Puerto Rica’s hands firmly. Both women breathe out heavily. Anxious. Excited.
Steve Harvey’s voice reverberates across the room. “Only one of you can be crowned Miss Universe. If for any reason the winner is unable to fulfil her duties, the runner up will take her place.”
Both women are clearly nervous. Their stillness gives way to fidgeting.
“Good luck to you both,” chimes Harvey.
Finally, he is ready with the result.
“The new Miss Universe is…”
Pause.
“South Africa.”
Pageantry and the work of femmes
Cut to a week later. Zozibini Tunzi is Miss Universe. She is a guest on The Daily Show with Trevor Noah. She glistens in a silver cocktail dress that hangs on her effortlessly. |
| Miss Universe 2019 Zozibini Tunzi, of South Africa, is crowned onstage at the 2019 Miss Universe Pageant at Tyler Perry Studios on December 08, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images) |
In words she has used before, her crown “sits beautifully on her kinky coarse hair”. Tunzi is in her element. She is confident, clear and charming.
“Congratulations!” starts Trevor, “Miss Universe, has it sunk in yet?”
“I don’t think so,” responds Tunzi. “I think this … is now, almost a week now. I think I am getting used to it because at first people would be like, ‘Miss Universe’ and I would just continue going because that’s not me.”
Tunzi is practised, personable and funny. She is clearly working in the room.
Noah clocks this, and response with his own brand of humorous charm.
“Miss Universe,” he responds, affecting an American accent, “Jupiter, please! Miss Universe.”
The two South Africans are enthralling an American audience on a coveted time slot on nighttime television.
Tunzi nods as Noah frames his question. He is prepared and taking the discussion seriously. It is clear from his demeanour that he recognises the politics of beauty. Perhaps more profoundly, he recognises what Tunzi intends to do with it, how she is using a platform often subject to misogynistic vitriol as a site of entry for clear, critical discussion.
“Congratulations!” starts Trevor, “Miss Universe, has it sunk in yet?”
“I don’t think so,” responds Tunzi. “I think this … is now, almost a week now. I think I am getting used to it because at first people would be like, ‘Miss Universe’ and I would just continue going because that’s not me.”
Tunzi is practised, personable and funny. She is clearly working in the room.
Noah clocks this, and response with his own brand of humorous charm.
“Miss Universe,” he responds, affecting an American accent, “Jupiter, please! Miss Universe.”
The two South Africans are enthralling an American audience on a coveted time slot on nighttime television.
Tunzi nods as Noah frames his question. He is prepared and taking the discussion seriously. It is clear from his demeanour that he recognises the politics of beauty. Perhaps more profoundly, he recognises what Tunzi intends to do with it, how she is using a platform often subject to misogynistic vitriol as a site of entry for clear, critical discussion.
Tunzi has actively subverted the tired, lazy stereotype of the ditzy beauty queen, which denies the fact of her intelligence. She has come to do feminist work.
|
| Miss Universe 2019 Zozibini Tunzi, of South Africa, is crowned onstage at the 2019 Miss Universe Pageant at Tyler Perry Studios on December 08, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images) |
Noah recognises this and begins the work of allyship. He is committed to the act of listening, critically engaging his feminist interlocutor with respect and understanding. Tunzi is about to cement herself into this discussion and to take up space. Noah will not get into her way.
Source - Newframe.com
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