69th Miss Universe Top 5 final statement

The 69th Miss Universe Top 5 delegates were asked to pick a topic during the final statement round of the competition held at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida on Sunday, May 16.

They were each given 30 seconds to speak out on social issues such as mental health, global poverty, and climate change.

Here are the final statements of the finalists:

Mexico, Andrea Meza

Changing beauty standards

"We live in a society that more and more is more than advanced and as we advance as a society, we've also advanced with stereotypes. Nowadays, beauty isn't only the way we look. For me, beauty radiates not only in our spirit but in our hearts and the way that we conduct ourselves. Never permit someone to tell you that you're not valuable."

India, Adline Castelino

Free speech and the right to protest

"The right to protest, we've seen many protests in the recent days. Especially I want to point out the protests that women have made throughout the years with equal rights. Until today, we lack them. Because protest helps us raise our voice against what's happening against inequality. It has minority, even any democracy to raise their voice. So the protest is very important. But what's not important is when you use it, because with every right comes a responsibility, so use it with power."

Brazil, Julia Gama

Mental health

"Mental health is still a very stigmatizing topic and it keeps us from giving the right assistance to those in need. So may we all tonight remember to normalize conversations about anxiety or depression because we all hurt sometimes but we don't need to face it alone. May we all come together because togetherness is our strength and together we can overcome anything. So let's support each other. Let's share empathy."

Dominican Republic, Kimberly Jimenez

Global poverty

"During this pandemic, my country Dominican Republic has risen to 23% poverty rate. For me, being able to be in front of you guys representing Dominican Republic, that makes me incredibly proud that it will help my tourism and us as human beings, that we have to realize there are so many people out there that need help and we can overcome anything."

Peru, Janick Maceta

Climate change

"It is our collective responsibility to start taking action in order to save our planet. Just by little by little, we can start making a difference. Little by little, by recycling, by teaching young generations about taking care of our beautiful, beautiful Earth. We're just here for one time and this is the time that we have to start taking care of it."

Photos: Tracy Nguyen / Miss Universe Organization