Lyshanda Moyas Shines in Global Pageant, as She Bolts into the Top 30 at Miss Universe 2025
4 min read
Miss Universe Zimbabwe, Lyshanda Brendon Moyas, walked onto the Miss Universe 2025 stage with the quiet fire of someone who understood exactly what it meant to carry the hopes of an entire nation. Even though she narrowly missed a place in the Top 12, her journey became one of the most talked-about Zimbabwean success stories of the year. Lyshanda earned her way into the Top 30, becoming one of only three African contestants to reach that level in a fiercely competitive global field. It was a moment that left Zimbabweans everywhere swelling with pride.
Her experience in Bangkok reminded the world that Zimbabwean beauty queens bring not only elegance but depth, character and an unshakable sense of identity. Lyshanda walked through each stage of the competition with a calm strength that drew people toward her. From the preliminaries to the final night, she rose above pressure, expectations and the noise of global competition, proving that her place among the world’s top contestants was no accident.
The Miss Universe 2025 competition demanded everything from its delegates. With a record number of contestants, the atmosphere was intense and the standard of performance extremely high. Lyshanda handled it with a grace that felt both effortless and deeply disciplined. In the swimsuit and evening gown rounds she blended confidence with an undeniable elegance, moving with the self-assured presence of someone who truly belonged on that stage. Many fans described her as one of the most underrated contestants of the year, a sentiment that echoed across social platforms as Zimbabweans cheered her on.
Her strongest moment is believed to have come during the closed-door interview, a segment that often decides the fate of contestants long before the public sees the results. Lyshanda walked into that room carrying her experiences, her cultural pride and her passion for uplifting young Zimbabwean women. She spoke with intelligence, empathy and clarity, opening a window into her worldview. She emphasised the importance of opportunity, education and national pride, and the judges reportedly responded warmly to her authenticity.
She also left a memorable impression in the National Costume segment, where she showcased a design rooted in Zimbabwean cultural identity. Her look celebrated ancestral heritage, creativity and symbolism, telling a story that resonated deeply with viewers familiar with the nation’s history. It was a proud and powerful moment, and a reminder of how pageantry can become a global platform for cultural storytelling.
When the Top 30 was announced and Lyshanda’s name appeared, Zimbabweans around the world erupted in excitement. This year, Africa faced a tough battle in the preliminaries, and many strong contenders did not advance. For her to secure one of the few continental spots in the Top 30 was a milestone that placed Zimbabwe in the global conversation, showing that the country continues to rise in international pageantry.
When the Top 12 announcement came and her journey ended, supporters felt the sting but quickly shifted to deep pride. Making the Top 30 at Miss Universe 2025 is an achievement that cannot be diminished, especially in a year where the competition was defined by intense talent, refined advocacy and high-level performance. Zimbabweans did not see her elimination; they saw her victory. And they celebrated her for it.
Messages of support poured in across social media. Parents spoke about how their daughters had been inspired. Young women saying they had watched someone who looked like them stand confidently on a world stage. Fans described how they felt seen, represented and uplifted by her. Lyshanda’s journey became a spark of national hope, the kind of moment that reminds Zimbabweans of their ability to rise beyond expectations.
Her participation in Miss Universe 2025 has already changed the landscape for future titleholders. She has set a new benchmark for confidence, cultural expression and global presence. Her performance showed that Zimbabwe can compete at the highest level, not through external validation but through authenticity and heart.
Lyshanda Brendon Moyas may not have walked away with a crown, but she walked away with the respect of the world and the admiration of her country. She proved that success is not always measured by final placements but by impact, presence and the courage to stand tall among giants. Her Top 30 achievement is more than a number. It is a symbol of possibility, a beacon of what Zimbabwean women can accomplish when given the platform to shine.
Her chapter at Miss Universe 2025 is complete, but her story is only beginning. And Zimbabwe will remember her not for what she didn’t win, but for what she gave — pride, representation and a reminder that even without a crown, a queen can still shine.
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