Sheynnis Palacios of Nicaragua Triumphs as Miss Universe 2023

Miss Nicaragua wins 2023 Miss Universe pageant

In an evening filled with glamour and grace, Sheynnis Palacios of Nicaragua emerged as the winner of the 2023 Miss Universe pageant. The event, held in San Salvador, the capital of El Salvador, was a global spectacle, showcasing beauty and intellect from across the world. Anntonia Porsild of Thailand secured the position of first runner-up in this prestigious competition.

This year's Miss Universe saw participants from 84 countries, each having won their respective national pageants. The judging panel was a blend of renowned personalities including model Halima Aden, Carson Kressley of “Queer Eye” fame, TikTok influencer Avani Gregg, and two former Miss Universe winners, Janelle Commissiong (1977) and Iris Mittenaere (2016).

Miss Nicaragua crowned 2023's Miss Universe

The competition commenced with the announcement of twenty semi-finalists, determined by preliminary competitions and a global fan vote. The swimsuit round, a highlight of the event, reduced the contestants to ten. Notable eliminations included Miss Nepal, the first "curvy" contestant to reach the semi-finals, and Miss Pakistan, who made history by opting for a burkini.

The evening gown segment further narrowed the field, leading to two rounds of Q&A sessions on hot topic issues. These rounds were pivotal in selecting the final three contenders: Palacios, Porsild, and second runner-up Moraya Wilson of Australia.

In the final round, Palacios was asked which historical figure she would choose to spend a day as. She selected Mary Wollstonecraft, an 18th-century British philosopher and feminist, praising her for breaking boundaries and empowering women. Palacios emphasized the limitless potential of women today, her response resonating with the audience and judges alike.

The top five were completed by Miss Colombia, Camila Avella, and Miss Puerto Rico, Karla Guilfú. Athenea Pérez of Spain, another top 10 finalist, was honored as Miss Congeniality.

With her win, Sheynnis Palacios takes over the Miss Universe title from R’Bonney Gabriel of the USA, the 2022 winner. Her victory at Miss Universe 2023 is not just a personal achievement but a moment of pride for Nicaragua, demonstrating the blend of beauty, intelligence, and cultural representation that the Miss Universe pageant celebrates.