Miss South Africa, Tamaryn Green came painfully close to take over the Miss Universe crown from compatriot Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters during the Miss Universe pageant held in Bangkok, Thailand on Monday.
Photo: AFP Sthefany Gutierrez (L) of Venezuela, Tamaryn Green (C) of South Africa and Catriona Gray (R) of the Philippines stand on stage after being selected as top three finalists during the 2018 Miss Universe Pageant in Bangkok on December 17, 2018.
Green was crowned first runner-up to Miss Philippines, Catriona Gray, with Miss Venezuala finishing as second runner-up.
It was a trailblazing ceremony praised for featuring its first transgender candidate but marred by gaffes about the English-speaking ability of two Asian contestants.
The glittering televised event was hosted by American comic turned TV host Steve Harvey and supermodel Ashley Graham.
In the final round, 24-year-old Gray earned applause describing her work in the slums of the Philippine capital Manila.
After winning she told reporters she would like to expand her work with an organisation in the Philippines that promotes education on HIV and AIDS.
"A few years ago I lost a close friend to health complications with HIV," she said.
"So spreading awareness on that cause and encouraging people to get the simple test and knowing their status is definitely one of my first projects that I'd like to pursue."
Gray - a student of music theory - beat more than 90 contestants from around the globe in the 67th instalment of Miss Universe, which was held in the Thai capital's Impact Arena.
During the competition, which was broadcast live, candidates were asked questions on press freedom, legalisation of marijuana, refugees and the #MeToo movement.
