Zozibini Tunzi redefines beauty standards in a heartfelt letter

Former Miss Universe, Zozibini Tunzi explores the beauty landscape by writing a heartfelt letter to her teenage self calling for an inclusive industry that embraces the beauty in our differences.

Dear Young Zozi

beauty

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Hey gorgeous girl! I write to you from the year 2024. I know there were moments when you didn’t feel it, but you have always been absolutely beautiful, inside and out. Pay attention to the “inside” part because that’s the most important. Outer beauty is subjective and, as you grow up, you’ll see that its standards keep changing. They become unrealistic and so unattainable, yet we spend so much time worrying and wondering when we will ever reach them. The truth is, you will never reach the beauty standards set by the world, because the closer you get to the goal, it will shift a little bit further. You will never reach it because from its inception it was never tailored to accommodate you. In fact, beauty standards are impossible to attain for many women, even those who look different to us and have different life experiences than we do. What I’m saying to you is that beauty standards are not real – you are real and you are beautiful. There is no such thing as a measure for beauty. We are human beings and we come in different colours, shapes, sizes and personalities. All of these things make us uniquely beautiful. What I want you to prioritise in your life journey is what kind of person you become.

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Physical beauty is not everything and I can assure you that it is definitely not the most important thing. So, I want you to invest in your inner beauty, happiness and love, and sharpen your talents and gifts. If you are able to do all or even some of these things, your life will be so much fuller and it will have so much meaning, not only for you but for those around you. Be kinder to yourself little girl, and believe in yourself a little bit more because you are going to grow up and become somebody wonderful, living a full life that we have always dreamt about. Be kind to others and try to be a good person who lives a decent life. Note that I said good person, not perfect, because you can never be that, so don’t waste your time striving for perfection. It will bring you nothing but misery and unhappiness. Trust me, we have been down this road before and I’m wise enough now to come back from the future to warn you. My last note to you, ntomb’entle, is that you are enough. As you grow up you will want to compare yourself to your peers. You will feel like whatever you have going on in your life does not compare to what others have in theirs. That is not true, do not fall into that ugly trap. Focus on yourself and don’t get distracted. You only get one life and that is a very special thing. Do not waste it focusing on things that are not for your improvement. Build your life brick by brick, knowing that you are more than enough. It is no mistake that you are here. Shine always, like the superstar tha tyou are.

Love always,

Future Zozi

Beauty