Jonathan Berry has made history as the first Australian man and first Indigenous Australian to be crowned Mr. Universe.
The out gay Tasmanian man is the first Aussie to win either the Mr. or Ms. Universe title since Jennifer Hawkins exactly 20 years ago. The Palawa man won the title at the Mr. Universe pageant held in India this month. 
“History was made tonight … I won Mr. Universe,” Jonathan wrote on Instagram.
“The first Australian to hold a Universe title since Jennifer Hawkin’s win 20 years ago … The first Australian male ever sent and the first Aboriginal person in history. A huge thank you to everyone who has supported me along the way and who made this possible.
A huge shout out to all the incredible men I competed alongside. It’s been amazing to get to know you all and learn about your beautiful countries and cultures. I can’t wait to bring this home to you all and start my reign. I’m so full of pride and so honored and so exhausted at the same time.”
Jonathan Berry was also the first Indigenous Mr. World Australia in 2019 and was Palawa representative for Sydney WorldPride last year. Ahead of the win, he told the National Indigenous Times representing First Nations people at the contest was “an immense honour”.
“[It’s] a great responsibility to represent both Australia and the broader First Nations community. This opportunity allows me to showcase the richness of our culture and advocate for greater representation,” he said.
“This time I’m also approaching it from the perspective of inner strength and outer courage. There were so many issues around me wearing the Aboriginal flag at Mr World and I wasn’t in the right frame of mind to really challenge it. I’ve come so far as an Indigenous man. I want to show the Universe the strength we have as a First Nations people.”
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