Online Reporter
Maria Chiguvari
Zimpapers Arts and Entertainment Hub
MODEL Yollanda Chimbarami, has made history of becoming the first runner up of Miss International 2025.
Shining in her natural afro hair style, she was ranked as the highest placing African and was awarded Miss International Africa 2025.
Catalina Duque of Colombia won the Miss International 2025 title in Tokyo, Japan yesterday.
She succeeded Huynh Thi Thanh Thuy of Vietnam after besting 79 candidates.
Yollanda is the first runner-up, followed by Paola Guzmán Sanchez of Bolivia (second runner-up), and Melliza Xaviera Yulian of Indonesia (third runner-up).
Yollanda believes in authenticity as she has made sure to always appear in most of her videos in her short afro hair.
“I believe in authenticity and quality that makes one stand out.
During her Top five question and answer session, Yollanda said this has open doors for her to cheer all women of colour.
“This experience has been empowering, as a woman of colour I have been in spaces and rooms where I have been undermined because of the colour of my skin and the texture of my hair but Miss International has thought me that you can cheer all women and there is enough room for everybody.
“I began this journey as a young woman with hopes but am standing before everyone as young woman with purpose ready to serve, ready to lead and ready to cheer all women who dare to dream because I am a strong powerful African black woman.”
Yollanda put more emphasis on quality education.
Videos of the semi-finalists talking about their respective advocacies were also shown during the break.
Yollanda has placed her focus on quality education for children, citing how it has changed her life for the better despite her humble background.
The 26-year-old multi-talented artiste and entrepreneur has already made a mark in various fields.
The competition will feature around 82 contestants travelling across Japan, participating in charity events, cultural exchanges, and various sub-contests.
She expressed deep gratitude for the overwhelming support from family, friends, sponsors, and fans across the country. Yollanda is a multi-talented artist and entrepreneur who has already made a mark in various fields.
As a model, she has walked the ramp for top designers such as David Tlale and Danielle Allen.
Her acting career includes roles in films like ‘Windfall’, ‘In Plain Sight’, ‘Finally Caught’, ‘Stump the Guesser’ and ‘The Day My Job Tried to Kill Me’. She has also lent her voice to Disney’s animated series ‘Supa Strikas’.
