The annual Miss Universe competition is heading to Israel for its 70th pageant.
The Miss Universe Organization announced Tuesday that the pageant will be held this December in the southern resort city of Eilat. Steve Harvey will once again return as host.
2 View gallery
Miss Universe Mexico 2020 Andrea Meza reacts as she is crowned Miss Universe
(Photo: AP)
The three-hour event will broadcast live on Fox in the U.S. and also in 180 countries and territories across the globe. It will end with the current Miss Universe, Mexico's Andrea Meza, crowning her successor.
Meza, a former software engineer, has advocated for women's rights and is also encouraging people to get the vaccine from COVID-19. Soon after she was named Miss Universe, Meza invited the media to cover her first vaccination shot in New York.
In a statement released by the Miss Universe Organization, Meza said she hopes "as many people as possible" get vaccinated so they can participate in the 70th Miss Universe contest.
2 View gallery
Comedian Steve Harvey will once again return as host of the annual competition
(Photo: AP)
Meza herself received the Miss Universe crown from Zozibini Tunzi, a public relations professional who became the first Black woman from South Africa to win the annual contest.
"Despite the challenges that coronavirus pandemic has set before us, we must create tourism hooks that will advance and represent Israel before the world for the day after the coronavirus," Tourism Minister Yoel Razbozov said.
"The Miss Universe competition is without a doubt an important and meaningful hook which Israel will host according to the necessary regulations."