Miss Nicaragua Sheynnis Palacios Wins Miss Universe 2023

Mirror, mirror, on the wall. Who is the prettiest of them all? Well, apparently we finally have an answer! At least for this year. Miss Nicaragua Sheynnis Palacios has just won Miss Universe 2023 and she is a beauty to behold! Palacios had the chance to take first place and beat over 80 women who participated in the competition. This marked a monumental achievement for Nicaragua, and the pageant in general offered some quirks and differences this year.

Who Is Miss Nicaragua? The Winner of Miss Universe 2023

In a landmark victory, 23-year-old Sheynnis Palacios, a mental-health activist and audiovisual producer, secured the title of Miss Universe, marking the first time a woman from Nicaragua has claimed this prestigious crown. The culmination of this achievement unfolded at the Miss Universe pageant held in San Salvador, El Salvador. Palacios, who openly deals with anxiety, has notably initiated a TV segment titled “Understand Your Mind,” where she engages in insightful conversations with experts in emotional care.

Expressing deep pride and connection to her roots, Palacios took to Instagram before the competition, stating, “Nicaragua, I feel you in my heartbeat, the sound of your marimba runs through my veins.” She conveyed her determination to showcase the essence of Nicaraguans, emphasizing qualities such as valor, courage, and determination. Beyond the glitz of the pageant, Palacios stands out as a champion for mental health awareness, adding a meaningful dimension to her historic win.

Record-Breaking Win of Miss Nicaragua

Sheynnis Palacios’ Miss Universe victory is historic as the first-ever win for a Nicaraguan woman in the competition. Palacios had previously represented Nicaragua in the 2017 Teen Miss Universe pageant, achieving a top 10 placement, and also participated in the 2021 Miss World pageant. The 2023 Miss Universe featured contestants from 84 countries, with a judging panel that included notable figures such as model Halima Aden, “Queer Eye” star Carson Kressley, TikTok influencer Avani Gregg, and former Miss Universe winners Janelle Commissiong of Trinidad & Tobago (Miss Universe 1977) and Iris Mittenaere of France (Miss Universe 2016).

Why This Miss Universe 2023 Competition Was Different

The 72nd Miss Universe event, hosted by Olivia Culpo, Maria Menounos, and Jeannie Mai, witnessed several historic moments. Miss Nicaragua Sheynnis Palacios claimed the crown, marking the first-ever win for a Nicaraguan woman. In a groundbreaking move, the 2023 pageant allowed married women and mothers to compete, resulting in Miss Colombia Camila Avella making the top five. Avella, a married mother, expressed gratitude to her family for their support.

Miss Guatemala Michelle Cohn, a mother of two, and plus-size contestant Miss Nepal Jane Dipika Garrett also left a mark. Cohn, captioning herself as “MOM QUEEN,” celebrated motherhood, while Garrett, the pageant’s first body-inclusive contestant, reached the top 20, embracing and celebrating her curves.

That’s Not All!

Another significant inclusion was Miss Pakistan Erica Robin, donning a pale-pink, floor-length caftan for the swimsuit competition. Robin expressed her joy at breaking barriers, emphasizing the transformative power of her platform. The event also featured two transgender contestants, Miss Portugal Marina Machete (top 20) and Miss Netherlands Rikkie Valerie Kollé, contributing to the celebration of diversity and strength among women. In their Instagram posts, Machete and Robin highlighted their roles in inspiring positive change and breaking stereotypes.

Who was your favorite contestant this year?

You might also want to read: The Full MTV VMAs 2023 Winners List