Three Latin American delegates were among the first five finalists, including Palacios; Miss Puerto Rico, Karla Guilfú Acevedo, and Miss Colombia, Camila Avella.
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| Miss Nicaragua Sheynnis Palacios in the evening gown round of the 72nd edition of Miss Universe in San Salvador, El Salvador, on Saturday, November 18, 2023. (Moises Castillo/AP) SAN SALVADOR - |
Miss Nicaragua Sheynnis Palacios won the 72nd edition of Miss Universe, held in El Salvador, on Saturday night, becoming the first Nicaraguan delegate to win the crown.
Palacios is a 23-year-old communications specialist who was supported by the public in all rounds of the contest, in which the participation of the Latina contestants also stood out. During her presentation, she said that she seeks to do work for mental health, since she herself suffered episodes of anxiety that led her to harm herself. Miss Thailand, Anntonia Porsild, was chosen first runner-up and Miss Australia, Moraya Wilson second runner-up.
Three Latin American delegates were among the first five finalists, including Palacios; Miss Puerto Rico, Karla Guilfú Acevedo, and Miss Colombia, Camila Avella, who was also one of the first two contestants who are mothers. A total of 84 delegates competed for the title in an edition in which there were also two trans delegates and for the first time a plus-size contestant, Miss Nepal, Jane Dipika Garrett. For next year, the organizers announced that the age requirement, which has a maximum limit of 28 years, will be removed. The representation of the Latina contestants was strong throughout the night. Seven Latin American delegates, including Palacios; Hazelnut; Acevedo; Miss Peru, Camila Escribens; Miss Chile, Celeste Viel; Miss Venezuela, Diana Silva, and Miss El Salvador, Isabella García-Manzo, advanced to the round of 20 semifinalists along with Miss Spain, Athenea Pérez, and Miss United States, Noelia Voigt, who is of Venezuelan descent. Palacios secured her crown by answering with great aplomb the question of if she could live for a year in another woman's shoes, which woman would she choose?  Miss Universe contestants participate in the swimsuit round. From left to right, Miss Puerto Rico Karla Guilfú, Miss Thailand Anntonia Porsild, Miss Peru Camila Escribens, Miss Colombia Camila Avella, Miss Paraguay Elicena Andrada, Miss Philippines Michelle Dee, Miss El Salvador Isabella García-Manzo, Miss Venezuela Diana Silva, Miss Australia Moraya Wilson, and Miss Spain Athenea Pérez, advance to the round of 10 semi-finalists at the 72nd edition of Miss Universe in San Salvador, El Salvador, on Saturday, November 18, 2023. (Moises Castillo/AP) “I would choose Mary Wollstonecraft,” she said of the 18th-century English writer and philosopher considered one of the precursors of feminism. “Because she was the first woman to breach women's rights. And she would do everything possible to ensure that the salary gaps of that time were the perfect opportunity for many women to work in any area they can perform, because there is no limit for women. That time was in 1756, 2023 making history.” He also had to answer a question from jury member Halima Aden, a Somali-American model, who wanted to know what qualities and values guide Palacios as a leader and role model. “The quality that has inspired me and has led me to inspire many women and girls today is humility and learning to be grateful for the little things,” she said. “Because that is where the most valuable thing is, it is the essence of the human being.”  President El Salvador, Nayib Bukele gives a speech at the 72nd edition of Miss Universe in San Salvador, El Salvador, on Saturday, November 18, 2023. (Moises Castillo/AP) The jury was completed by Iris Mittenaere, Miss Universe 2016; Nadia Ferreira, Miss Paraguay 2021; Eleanor Concepcion 'Connie' Mariano, doctor and rear admiral in the United States Navy; Janelle Commissiong, Miss Universe 1977; Denise White, CEO and founder of sports firm EAG Sports Management; Avani Gregg, gymnast, dancer and tiktoker; Roku executive Sweta Patel; Carson Kressley, American host, actor, producer and designer; Mario Bautista, Mexican pop singer, and Giselle Blondet, Puerto Rican television presenter and actress. The ceremony also featured a musical number by Grammy winner John Legend. Palacios is the second Central American Miss Universe, following Justine Pasek of Panama, who assumed her duties as substitute Miss Universe following the dismissal of Oksana Gennadyevna Fyodorova of Russia in 2002. Many in the audience did not remember it, but it was not the first time that El Salvador welcomed Miss Universe with open arms. The contest had been held in the country in 1975. On this occasion, the Salvadoran president, Nayib Bukele, took advantage of the gala to send a message to the world about the changes that are occurring in his nation, which in recent decades had suffered from high rates of criminal violence caused by gangs. . “El Salvador has changed forever and we have shown it once again, it has been an honor to receive the slim women, organizers and visitors from various countries, Miss Universe has given us the opportunity to show the world that what we are capable of, thank you for choosing be part of the rebirth of El Salvador,” said the president, who was dressed to the nines without his traditional cap. “What you have experienced here is only a small part of everything we aspire to,” he added and then invited them to “be our ambassadors who let everyone know that El Salvador is the ideal place to fight for your dreams, for very big they are.” In 2015, El Salvador was considered one of the countries with the highest homicide rate in the world, with 106 violent deaths per 100,000 inhabitants. This situation changed since March 2022, when Bukele ordered the application of a tough policy against gangs. More than 70,000 people accused of belonging to gangs or being collaborators of these criminal structures have been arrested during his administration. Of them, more than 90% are in prisons, including a mega prison for gangs, which in turn has raised fears of possible human rights violations. Despite everything, the measure has had results and El Salvador registers a drastic reduction in homicides and also has popular approval. In a pre-recorded message, broadcast in the televised ceremony before Bukele's speech, Miss El Salvador highlighted the president's work for daring to bring order to her country. In the case of the 84 Miss Universe candidates, they were encouraged and confident about carrying out activities in El Salvador. They enjoyed beaches, mountains and lakes and the capital, as well as surfing. They also interacted with fans in shopping centers, where thousands lined up to be photographed with them, and they went several times to the historic center of the capital, an area previously besieged by gangs, where they danced to the rhythm of tropical music with locals. |
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