Miss Universe 2023 has been announced.
Another year’s global beauty pageant has come to an end with 23-year-old Nicaraguan model Sheynnis Palacios taking home the crown.
The 72nd annual beauty pageant took place in San Salvador, whereas Sheynnis made history by becoming the first delegate of Nicaragua ever to win the prestigious title.
In photos from the event, the young beauty was seen smiling from ear to ear as she was crowned the next Miss Universe by last year’s winner – R’Bonney Nola Gabriel of United States.
Sheynnis swept away the competition including runners-up Anntonia Porsild of Thailand and Moraya Wilson of Australia.
For the first time ever in Miss Universe, the contestants also included two trans women Rikkie Kollé of Netherlands and Marina Machete of Portugal. Encouraging diversity in the competition were also Nepal’s plus-sized model Jane Dipika Garrett and Pakistan’s Erica Robin who wore a burkini in the swimsuit round.
“The quality that has inspired me and has inspired millions of women and girls is humility and the ability to appreciate the little things, because that’s where the most valuable thing is: the essence of being a human,” Sheynnis answered after being asked about qualities that guide her for her Top 5 question.
In a later question, the 23-year-old was asked who she would choose if she could live for a year in another woman’s shoes.
“I would choose Mary Wollstonecraft, because she opened the gap to give an opportunity to many women,” the Nicaraguan beauty responded.
“What I would do is to have that income gap open up so women could work in any area that they choose to work in because there are no limitations for women. That was 1750. Now in 2023 we are making history.”
The win comes just hours after Sheynnis took to social media to celebrate her role in the competition and open up about the drive that kept her going this far.
“Tonight, I dedicate it to my inner girl and to each of the girls who yearn to fulfill this dream, even the sky itself is the limit, a dream so big that people think it is impossible to achieve.
Because that is where you know that your dreams and goals will exceed obstacles, and remember to accompany them with determination, perseverance, and passion,” she said in her Instagram post.
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