Let's meet my favorite Miss Universe contestants whose heritage is from East Africa. They come from diverse ethnic groups native to the Eastern region of Africa. While many represented their native African countries of origin, there are also immigrants and mixed-race descendants who grew up overseas and represented the countries they migrated to.
Sonia Rolland won the title of Miss France 2000. Born in Kigali, Rwanda, Sonia comes from a mixed background; her father is French while her mother is Rwandan of Tutsi descent. She and her family then moved to Burundi and eventually settled in Burgundy, France. Before winning the national title, Sonia was pursuing a degree in communications while also being active as a basketball athlete. Fluent in French, English and Kinyarwanda, the statuesque beauty soon represented France in the Miss Universe 2000 pageant held in Nicosia, Cyprus. A favorite during the pageant, Sonia finished among the Top 10 semi-finalists. After the pageant, Sonia returned to France and became active in the modelling and entertainment industry, acting in several TV series and films.
Flaviana Matata won the title of Miss Universe Tanzania 2007. Born in Shinyanga, Flaviana is fluent in English and Swahili. Before winning the national title, she has recently completed a technician's diploma in electrical engineering. Flaviana soon became Tanzania's delegate in the Miss Universe 2007 pageant held in Mexico City, Mexico. Being Tanzania's first representative in the Miss Universe pageant, she became notable for competing with a shaved head and was also popular among the press and other contestants. The slender African beauty became a crowd favorite and finished among the Top 10 semi-finalists. After the pageant, Flaviana became active in the international modeling industry.
Yityish Aynaw won the title of Miss Israel 2013. Nicknamed "Titi", she was born to an Amharic-speaking Ethiopian Jewish family in Gondar, Ethiopia. Orphaned at a young age, Titi and her brother were adopted by their grandparents who were living in Netanya, Israel. Immigrating to Israel, Titi soon became fluent in Hebrew and eventually served as a lieutenant in the Israeli Defense Forces. Before winning the national title, she was working as a sales clerk in a clothing store. The statuesque beauty soon represented Israel in the Miss Universe 2013 pageant held in Moscow, Russia, where she was a favorite. After the pageant, she became active in the local Israeli entertainment industry and has appeared in a local reality TV show.
Gaylyne Ayugi won the title of Miss Universe Kenya 2014. Hailing from Nairobi, Gaylyne is from the Luo ethnic group. Before winning the national title, she was pursuing a journalism degree and was also aspiring to become a professional model. Gaylyne soon represented Kenya in the Miss Universe 2014 pageant held in Miami, Florida. Noted for her short, natural afro hair, Gaylyne also showcased her Luo heritage by wearing her tribal headdress during events and photo shoot sessions.
Nova Stevens won the title of Miss Universe Canada 2020. She won the national title on her third attempt (she finished among the Top 12 in 2014 and among the Top 20 in 2018). Born as Nyawal Bukjok, she comes from a Sudanese family of Nuer heritage. She was born in a refugee camp in Kenya as her family fled from Sudan due to the ongoing civil war at that time. As a child, she and her family members resettled in refugee camps in Ethiopia until she was sent abroad to live with various relatives across Canada. At the time she won the national title, she was based in Vancouver and has been working as a professional model. Nova is also involved in activism, having organized marches against hate crimes and injustices towards the black community. As Miss Universe Canada 2020, Nova had the opportunity to visit the country of South Sudan, her ancestral homeland, and was also able to visit her family in a refugee camp in Ethiopia. Nova soon represented Canada in the Miss Universe 2020 pageant held in Hollywood, Florida. With a strong stage presence and sporting a buzz cut hairstyle, the towering beauty became a favorite during the pageant.
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