Sheynnis Alondra Palacios Cornejo representing Nicaragua was crowned the Miss Universe 2023 by last year’s winner R’Bonney Gabriel at the 72nd Miss Universe pageant. The gala took place in El Salvador on November 19, according to Indian Standard Time (IST).
Thailand’s Anntonia Porsild was declared the runner-up with Moraya Wilson from Australia claiming the second runner-up position.
Palacios, 23, was overcome with emotions and broke down into tears after hearing her name being declared as the winner.
The new Miss Universe has a degree in communications. Her episodes of anxiety encouraged her to start a project called “Entiende tu mente” (Understand Your Mind.) It aims to emphasise the importance of mental health and help destigmatise it, according to reports.
84 women graced the Miss Universe stage from around the world. This year’s pageant was also all about inclusivity and progress. Two married mothers — Michelle Cohn from Guatemala and Maria Camila Avella Montañez from Colombia – were the first to take part in the competition. Miss Nepal, Jane Dipika Garett made history as the first plus-sized model to have entered.
The inclusion of Miss Portugal, Marina Machete and Miss Netherlands, Rikkie Kolle, paved the way for transgender inclusion in the global pageant as well.
Shweta Sharda represented India and made it to the top 20 finalists at the coveted pageant. Pakistan’s Erica Robin also debuted at the global competition.
The 72nd Miss Universe pageant was held at the José Adolfo Pineda Arena in El Salvador. The audience and viewers across the world also witnessed a performance by 12-time Grammy winner John Legend. The event was hosted by Maria Menounos alongside former Miss Universe Olivia Culpo and Jeannie Mai.
The Central American country hosted the pageant for the first time since 1975.
Sheynnis is also pretty active on Instagram with almost 651,000 followers and is also a famous TikTok celebrity.
She can also be termed the perfect beauty with brains, as her knowledge was evident with her answer to the question “if you could live one year in another woman’s shoes, who would you choose and why?”
Sheyniss chose Mary Wollstonecraft as the woman, and said, “I would choose Mary Wollstonecraft because she opened the gap and gave an opportunity to many women. I would want that gap to open up so that more women could work in any area they choose to work in because there is no area where women could not work in.”
This edition marked the debut of Pakistan; and the returns of Denmark, Egypt, Guyana, Hungary, Ireland, Kazakhstan, Latvia, Mongolia, Norway, and Zimbabwe. Zimbabwe last competed in 2001; Latvia last competed in 2006; Guyana last competed in 2017; Egypt and Mongolia last competed in 2019; meanwhile the others last competed in 2021. (Agencies)
