In a night of glamour, suspense, and historic significance, Miss Nicaragua, Sheynnis Palacios, emerged as the shining star and was crowned Miss Universe 2023 at the José Adolfo Pineda Arena in San Salvador, El Salvador. The 72nd edition of the prestigious global pageant witnessed a groundbreaking win for the Central American beauty, marking a momentous occasion in the history of Miss Universe.
The climactic moment unfolded as Sheynnis Palacios and Miss Thailand, Anntonia Porsild, stood in a spotlight, hands clasped, awaiting the announcement in the dimmed venue. In a dramatic pause, a voice echoed “Nicaragua!” The emotional response from Palacios, with tears streaming down her face and trembling hands raised in joy, conveyed the immense significance of her triumph.
The evening reached its pinnacle as last year’s Miss Universe, R’Bonney Gabriel, gracefully handed over the coveted title to Sheynnis Palacios. The competition’s third-place position, secured by Miss Australia, Moraya Wilson, added to the diversity and representation among the finalists.
Nicaragua’s Historic Milestone:
Sheynnis Palacios carved her place in history as the first Nicaraguan to clinch the Miss Universe title, marking Nicaragua’s fifth appearance in the semifinals. The victory symbolizes the growing influence of the Central American nation on the global stage.
In the aftermath of her historic win, Sheynnis Palacios took to social media to share the joyous moment. The triumphant post, featuring images of the newly crowned Miss Universe, carried the caption “Hello Universe,” expressing gratitude in both English and Spanish for making history alongside her fellow Nicaraguans.
This year’s Miss Universe pageant broke convention by featuring an all-female hosting team. Miss Universe 2012, Olivia Culpo, along with TV personalities Jeannie Mai Jenkins and Maria Menounos, led the event, underscoring a progressive shift in the presentation of the prestigious show.
The 2023 edition marked a historic turn by allowing married women and mothers to compete for the first time. The pageant also welcomed two openly trans women, Marina Machete from Portugal and Rikkie Kollé from the Netherlands, aligning with Miss Universe’s commitment to diversity.
The finalists navigated through four challenging rounds of competition, including evening gown, swimwear, personal statements, and in-depth interviews. Sheynnis Palacios impressed with her thoughtful response, citing admiration for 18th-century British writer Mary Wollstonecraft and advocating for the elimination of limitations on women in 2023.
Legacy of Sheynnis Palacios:
Hailing from Managua, Nicaragua, Sheynnis Palacios made her beauty pageant debut in 2016, winning the Miss Teen Nicaragua title. With a degree in mass communications and a background in varsity volleyball, the 23-year-old beauty now stands as a trailblazer in Miss Universe history.
Under the ownership of JKN Global Group, led by CEO Anne Jakapong Jakrajutatip, the Miss Universe competition continues to evolve. The $20 million acquisition in October 2022 marked a historic moment, with Jakrajutatip becoming the first woman to own the organization in its 72-year history. As Miss Universe progresses, the commitment to providing a platform for diverse voices and evolving for the next generation remains steadfast.
