Miss Universe 2020: Model Natasha Joubert is favorite to win crown from fellow South African Zozibini Tunzi
Natasha Joubert, who has been chosen to represent South Africa at Miss Universe 2020 after she was crowned the second runner-up of Miss SA 2020, is hoping to replicate the win by the current title holder of the prestigious pageant, Zozibini Tunzi, who was previously Miss SA 2019.
Many South Africans have pinned their hopes on the 23-year-old, making her one of the favorites to win the title this year. Tunzi will, of course, be attending the event to crown her successor at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Hollywood, Florida. The 69th Miss Universe pageant will take place on May 16.
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'You need to be mentally fit when you go up for something like this'
The fashion designer and model left her country to fly to the United States on May 3 to get ready for the event. In an interview with CapeTalk she decried the popular notion that the Miss Universe pageant was all about looks. She said that in order to prepare for the same, she has had to train herself physically, mentally, and emotionally.
"It's been a lifelong dream of mine to go to Miss Universe. There are so many facets in entering a competition like this... For me, it's focusing on the inside the out more than anything else. People think it's only a physical thing - how beautiful your body is or how good you walk - but for me, it's very emotional and you need to be mentally fit when you go up for something like this," she told the outlet.
Joubert was chosen to represent Mzansi during the Miss South Africa pageant last year. The B Com graduate said she was entirely prepared for the glamorous event ahead. “I have been looking forward to this event from the moment of my crowning and will carry the Miss Universe South Africa title with pride. I know that I have big shoes to fill following in the footsteps of both Zozi, Tamaryn Green who was first runner-up in 2018 and Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters, Miss Universe 2017," she told IOL.
Her national costume reflects devastation of the pandemic
Joubert’s national costume has been designed by celebrity designer Gert-Johan Coetzee. The fabric wings of her gown have been printed with drawings by local children and reflect how they interpreted the national lockdown as a result of Covid-19 and the devastating impact it has had in their lives. According to Coetzee, the garment was intended to be uniquely South African and meaningful.
“The children were amazing and came up with images that truly reflect the regulations of lockdown; some funny, others poignant and meaningful. A number drew the usual pre-school child’s image of the family, only the mum, dad and brothers and sisters were drawn far apart to show social distancing,” said Joubert. “That is why we decided to take sketches from local children, to portray how they currently see the state of the world in their own ‘words’. We took their actual sketches, digitized them and printed them on white flowy fabric and created an angelic silhouette for Natasha to symbolize overcoming hardship through guidance.”
Joubert also designs her own outfits
Apart from modeling an array of beautiful dresses and gowns, Joubert is also a pro at designing some of these mindblowing outfits. In 2016, she launched Natalia Jefferys, a Pretoria-based fashion label, which specializes in couture for farewells and weddings. She runs it with her mother.
Joubert organized #DestinyDesigned, a virtual fashion show and fundraiser that provided 12 talented local designers the opportunity to display their creativity, after learning that the fashion industry was “one of the hardest-hit sectors due to the global pandemic."
Last month she showed off the evening dress her brand made for the event. Miss Supranational SA, Thato Mosehle, modeled the custom Natalia Jefferys creation, and Joubert accompanied her in the snap she posted on Instagram. “When I was thinking of what to make Thato I immediately thought of yellow as it perfectly describes [her] — she’s a ray of sunshine,” said Joubert.