The Miss Universe 2023 pageant, which took place on Saturday at the Adolfo Pineda National Gymnasium in El Salvador, lived up to expectations.
A total of 84 contestants from around the world participated in the final ceremony of the 72nd edition of the beauty contest, and Sheynnis Palacios, representing Nicaragua, emerged as Miss Universe 2023 winner. This victory marked the first time a contestant from Nicaragua had won the Miss Universe pageant.
MISS UNIVERSE 2023 IS @Sheynnispalacios_of !!!! 👑 🇳🇮@mouawad #72ndMISSUNIVERSE #MissUniverse2023 pic.twitter.com/cSHgnTKNL2
— Miss Universe (@MissUniverse) November 19, 2023
The top three contenders anticipated to win Miss Universe 2023 were ranked as follows: Karla Guilfu Acevedo from Puerto Rico, Maria Brechane from Brazil, and Sotima John from Cambodia.
Diana Silva from Venezuela, who holds Venezuelan nationality through her mother, secured the sixth position in the odds to win.
The finalists who made it to the last round of the question-and-answer session were Miss Thailand, Miss Nicaragua, and Miss Australia.
Jacqueline Bracamontes, Mexico’s representative at the turn of the century in the beauty pageant, hosted this edition of the gala.
The 23-year-old, a TV host and model, triumphed over first runner-up Anntonia Porsild from Thailand and second runner-up Moraya Wilson from Australia. The remaining top 10 contestants included representatives from Colombia, El Salvador, Peru, the Philippines, Puerto Rico, Spain, and Venezuela.
The new Miss Universe is…India!!!! #MISSUNIVERSE pic.twitter.com/DTiOKzTHl4
— Miss Universe (@MissUniverse) December 13, 2021
A total of 84 contestants participated in the Miss Universe 2023 pageant, competing in evening gown, swimsuit, and national costume. Palacios wore a black embellished costume inspired by the Nicaraguan Grackle, a bird native to her country and designed by Jorge Salazar Caliz.
Miss Universe 2022 R’Bonney Gabriel, a former Miss USA, presented the crown to the winner.
In a heartfelt Instagram message before the final, Palacios expressed gratitude for fulfilling a childhood dream of participating in the global competition. She dedicated the night to her inner child and encouraged others to dream big with determination, perseverance, and passion.
Miss Nicaragua outshone representatives from Australia and Thailand, securing her place as the first-ever Miss Universe winner from Nicaragua. Palacios, born on November 24, 1995, in Chinandega, is a communications major with a passion for social justice causes and a love for volleyball.
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Her intelligence and charisma played pivotal roles in her success. Palacios will hold the crown for a year until the next edition of the world’s most popular beauty pageant.
Noteworthy mentions from Miss Universe 2023 included two transgender women representing Portugal and the Netherlands. Additionally, two married contestants with children participated, taking advantage of rule modifications allowing such individuals to compete.
We are down to the TOP 3!!
One of these three delegates will be crowned the next MISS UNIVERSE!👑#72ndMISSUNIVERSE #MissUniverse2023 pic.twitter.com/EUYr4b13Vn
— Miss Universe (@MissUniverse) November 19, 2023
Miss USA, Noelia Voigt, did not make it into the top 10, preventing the United States from repeating as the winner.
The representation of Nepal included a plus-size model, Jane Dipika Garrett, adding to the controversy surrounding Miss Universe’s fresh look under new ownership.
