Sheynnis Palacios Makes History as Nicaragua’s First-Ever Miss Universe

Sheynnis Palacios has made history at this year’s Miss Universe pageant.

The 23-year-old Nicaraguan model and beauty pageant titleholder was crowned the 2023 Miss Universe at the culmination of the annual beauty pageant, which took place over the weekend in El Salvador’s capital, San Salvador.

Sheynnis PalaciosAnntonia Porsild of Thailand placed as first runner-up.

Palacios’ win marks the first-ever time a Nicaraguan woman has won Miss Universe. She had previously represented Nicaragua in the 2017 Teen Miss Universe pageant, placing in the top 10, and in the 2021 Miss World pageant.

Prior to becoming Miss Universe, Palacios was working as a model, television presenter, and journalist in Nicaragua, and presented a show called Entiende tu mente, which discussed topics related to mental health.

The winners of 84 countries’ national pageants had competed at this year’s Miss Universe, judged by a panel including model Halima Aden, Queer Eye star Carson Kressley, TikTok influencer Avani Gregg and two former Miss Universe winners, Janelle Commissiong of Trinidad & Tobago (Miss Universe 1977) and Iris Mittenaere of France (Miss Universe 2016).

Twenty semifinalists were announced at the beginning of Saturday night’s proceedings following the results of the preliminary competition (and a global fan vote). After the swimsuit round, the field was narrowed to 10 — seeing the elimination of the first “curvy” contestant to make the pageant’s semifinals, Miss Nepal, as well as the first contestant to choose a burkini as their swimsuit, Miss Pakistan. The evening gown round cut the number of contestants in half again.

Miss Colombia Camila Avella and Miss Puerto Rico Karla Guilfú, rounded out the top five, while another member of the top 10, Spain’s Athenea Pérez, was crowned the pageant’s Miss Congeniality.

Palacios succeeds the 2022 Miss Universe, R’Bonney Gabriel of the USA.

Spain’s Athenea Pérez Named Miss Congeniality at Miss Universe Pageant

Athenea Pérez is celebrating a special honor at this year’s Miss Universe pageant.

While she didn’t claim the title, the 27-year-old Spanish model and beauty pageant titleholder was named the 2023 Miss Congeniality.

Athenea Pérez, Miss Spain, Miss Universe, Miss Congeniality,She won the honor after delegates voted for the competitor who inspired her peers with kindness, positivity and enthusiasm. I

In remarks shared by hosts Zuri Hall and Catriona Gray, Pérez said that “her biggest fear this week was forgetting this was a competition because she was so busy socializing and making friends.”

As the delegate of Spain to the Miss Universe pageant, Pérez became the first woman of black descent to represent the country in the Miss Universe pageant.

Athenea Pérez, Miss Spain, Miss Universe, Miss Congeniality,Pérez was born to a Spanish father and an Equatorial Guinean mother.

“I believe that diversity is the future and I’m an example of it,” Pérez said in an interview segment. “Currently, I’m collaborating with children’s villages with immigrant mothers and single-parent households because I was raised by a single mother who is an immigrant and black woman.” She continued, “I know that my story can help to inspire other people. Diversity is here, and diversity is now — it’s today.”

She finished as one of the Top 10 finalists in the pageant.

Miss Chile Sofia Depassier Named Miss Congeniality at Miss Universe Pageant

Sofia Depassier has made a lasting impression…

The 24-year-old Chilean beauty queen and current Miss Chile may not have made the Top 16 at this year’s Miss Universe pageant, but she didn’t leave home empty-handed.

Sofia Depassier, Miss ChileDepassier was named Miss Congeniality during the pageant, which took place in New Orleans, Louisiana.

Miss USA R’Bonney Gabriel was named the new Miss Universe. Second runner-up went to Andreina Martinez Founier of the Dominican Republic and the first runner-up was Amanda Dudamel of Venezuela.

Gabriel is the first Filipino-American to win Miss USA and according to her official bio, her “mission is for women and young girls to see themselves in her, and feel inspired to conquer their goals by owning who they are.”

The night started off with the Top 16 contestants being revealed following a preliminary competition.

Top 16: Ashley Cariño (Puerto Rico), Mideline Phelizor (Haiti), Monique Riley (Australia), Andreina Martinez Founier (Dominican Republic), Payengxa Lor (Laos), Ndavi Nokeri (South Africa), Telma Madeira (Portugal), Amelia Tu (Canada), Alessia Rovegno (Perú), Tya Jané Ramey (Trinidad & Tobago), Gabriëla Dos Santos (Curacao), Divita Rai (India), Amanda Dudamel (Venezuela), Alicia Faubel (Spain), R’Bonney Gabriel (USA) and María Fernanda Aristizábal (Colombia).

Following the competition of the beauty queens in evening gowns and bathing suits, the Top 5 were revealed to be the following: Amanda Dudamel (Venezuela), R’Bonney Gabriel (USA), Ashley Cariño (Puerto Rico), Gabriëla Dos Santos (Curacao) and Andreina Martinez Founier (Dominican Republic).

After a question round the Top 3 were revealed to be Andreina Martinez Founier (Dominican Republic), R’Bonney Gabriel (USA) and Amanda Dudamel (Venezuela).

The Social Impact Award went to Anna Sueangam-iam of Thailand and Viktoria Apanasenko of Ukraine received the Spirit of Carnival Award.

It was also announced that the next edition of the Miss Universe pageant will take place in El Salvador.

Yara Sofia Getting Third Shot at the Crown on Season 6 of “RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars”

Will the third time be the charm for Yara Sofia?

The 37-year-old Puerto Rican drag queen will compete on the sixth season of RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars, which has found a second home at Paramount+, and 13 returning queens will get another shot at the crown.

Yara Sofia

Yara Sofia, whose real name is Gabriel Burgos Ortiz, appeared on RuPaul’s Drag Race season 3, where she won Miss Congeniality, and All Stars season 1.

Season 6 of All Stars, which will see 13 returning queens get another shot at the crown, will premiere on June 24 on the streaming platform and welcome back a number of fan favorites and memorable contestants including queens Jiggly Caliente, Scarlet Envy, Eureka O’Hara, Silky Nutmeg Ganache and more.

Returning queens will sashay back to the “werkroom” to vie for a spot in Drag Race Hall of Fame and a cash prize of $100,000.

Drag Race All Stars will start its engines with back-to-back episodes upon its premiere date. New episodes will hit Paramount+ on Thursdays.

“Thirteen All Stars deliver one of the best Drag Race seasons ever!” said executive producer and five-time Emmy-winning host RuPaul. “Don’t take my word for it. You’ve got to stream it to believe it.”

The drama-filled aftershow, RuPaul’s Drag Race Untucked, also will be available to stream on Paramount+ immediately following new episodes of All Stars 6.

 

Valentina to Make Guest Appearance on Season 13 of “RuPaul’s Drag Race”

Valentina is headed back to the Race

The 29-year-old Mexican American drag performer, actor, television personality and singer will make a guest appearance on Season 13 of RuPaul’s Drag Race.

Valentina

Valentina, who finished in 7th place on Season 9 of the acclaimed reality series and 7th place on the fourth season of RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars, and fellow Miss Congeniality winners from past seasons Nina West and Heidi N Closet will appear in future episodes. 

Cynthia ErivoNicole ByerLoni LoveTS Madison and Jamal Sims are slated to join the RuPaul’s Drag Race judges panel this season alongside mainstays Michelle Visage, Carson Kressley, Ross Mathews and, Mama Ru (RuPaul Charles).

In addition, RuPaul’s Drag Race superfans Anne Hathaway and Scarlett Johansson will surprise queens later this season with interactive video master classes.

The 13 queens vying for the ultimate title of “America’s Next Drag Superstar” this season include Denali (Chicago), Elliott with 2 Ts (Las Vegas), Gottmik (Los Angeles), Joey Jay (Phoenix), Kahmora Hall (Chicago), Kandy Muse (New York), LaLa Ri (Atlanta), Olivia Lux (New York), Rosé (New York), Symone (Los Angeles), Tamisha Iman (Atlanta), Tina Burner (New York), and Utica Queen (Minneapolis).

Valentina to Compete on the Fourth Season of “RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars”

An (all-) star is born, and her name is Valentina

The 27-year-old Mexican American drag performer and television personality, whose real name is James Andrew Leyva,will compete on the fourth seasonof RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars.

Valentina

Valentina competed on the ninth season of RuPaul’s Drag Race.She placed seventh overall, and her elimination sparked some controversy online as she was popular with fans. She was later awarded the title of Miss Congenialityin the show’s reunion episode by vote, and titled “Fan Favorite” by her fellow castmates.

Outside of the show, Valentina appeared in the sixth episode of the twenty-fourth season of America’s Next Top Model.

In addition to Valentina, the lone Latina competitor, the new cast includes Monét X Change, Trinity Taylor, Farrah Moan,Monique Heart, Jasmine Masters, Naomi Smalls, and Gia Gunn, as well as Manila Luzon and Latrice Royale, who both competed on the first All Starsseason.

RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars will have its big premiere on December 14 at 8:00 pm ET on VH1.

Also on tap to make spirits bright is RuPaul’s Drag Race Holi-slay Spectacular, which features a gaggle of drag sensations competing for the title of  Xmas Queen.

It airs on December 7 at 8:00 pm ET on VH1, and features Eureka O’Hara, Jasmine Masters, Kim Chi, Latrice Royale, Mayhem Miller, Shangela, Sonique and Trixie Mattel.