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Miss Universe 2017 Once Punched A Carjacker’s Face, Now Teaches Self-Defense. Badass Beauty!

byJinal Bhatt
27th November 2017
2 minute read

T’is the season of beauty pageants! Only last week, India’s entry, Manushi Chhillar, brought the Miss World title home. And now, Miss South Africa Demi-Nel Leigh-Peters has officially been crowned Miss Universe 2017!

Amidst loud cheers and triumphant music at The Axis auditorium in Planet Hollywood, Las Vegas, 22-year-old Demi Leigh was crowned Miss Universe 2017, becoming the second South African to win the title since 1978.

However, don’t mistake her for just another pretty face! Her answer during the Miss Universe 2017 Q&A is testament that she strives to be so much more than just a pageant winner.

In fact, Demi-Leigh, who has a business management degree, even conducts self defense workshops for women! But wait till you hear the about what inspired it all.

Back in June 2017, when Demi-Leigh was still only Miss South Africa, she was the victim of a carjacking involving four armed men.

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“I saw them approaching me, three to my left and another on the other side, and I knew by their eyes what they were coming to do. I was petrified but prepared for what was coming. I had at least three guns pointed at me. I climbed out of the car but they told me to climb back in because I was coming with them.”

 

According to a report by Times Live, Demi-Leigh had just finished her driver’s safety lessons and kicked into defense mode right away. She punched one of her attackers in the throat!

“He was dazed and pushed me into the car. I forced my way out and ran as fast as I could into traffic to get help.”

Totally badass, isn’t she? What a worthy choice for Miss Universe!

Since her ordeal, Demi-Leigh has been actively involved in conducting self-defense workshops that empower women to fight off attackers, just like she did.

According to her Miss Universe 2017 biography, Demi-Leigh’s biggest motivation is her half-sister, who is disabled. With the help of the self-defense program that she herself has helped develop, she wants to help as many women as she can.

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Beauty pageants, though frowned upon as shallow, were initially begun with a motive—to give women an ideal role model that they could aspire to become.

Maybe the message got lost in translation somehow. But watching women like Demi-Leigh use their status to empower people is heartening and reassuring!

More power to you, Demi-Leigh! And congratulations on winning Miss Universe 2017!

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