Tag Archives: Miss World

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

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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 Lalaguna Named Miss World

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The world is Mireia Lalaguna’s oyster…

The 22-year-old Spanish model was crowned Miss World on Saturday at the 65th edition of the beauty pageant, held in the Chinese city of Sanya.

Miss World Mireia Lalaguna

Lalaguna, a Barcelona-native with a degree in pharmacology, outshined second-place Miss Russia, Sofia Nikitchuk, and Miss Indonesia, Maria Harfanti, who came in third.

For the first time ever Spain was victorious at the Miss World contest, which was launched in Britain and is considered the longest running beauty pageant on the planet, though another Spaniard, Amparo Muñoz, took home the Miss Universe title in 1974.

Lalaguna, with her blonde locks combed back on one side and wearing a stunning blue dress that bared her back, took her place on the queen’s throne where she was crowned by the winner of the 2014 contest, South Africa’s Rolene Strauss, with the glittering blue diadem she will wear over the coming year.

Lalaguna Catalan could not hide her shock, even from the time she made it into the finals ahead of big favorites like the beauties from France, Venezuela and the host country China.

Also among the five finalists were Miss Jamaica, Sanneta Myrie, and Miss Lebanon, Valerie Abou Chacra, while the Ecuadorian Maria Camila Marañon was the best classified Latin American after making it into the top 20.

The gala was held at the Beauty Crown Culture Center in Sanya, a complex outside the city with extravagant skyscrapers shaped like gigantic trees, a resort that has now hosted the pageant for the sixth time.

All Hail the Latina Beauty Queen!

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Miss Venezuela Ivian Sarcos is bringing the Miss World crown back to her native country for the first time in 16 years.

The 21-year-old human resources graduate—who spent five years studying in a convent and once considered becoming a nun—beat out approximately 120 fellow contestants to win the title at the Miss World beauty pageant, which was held at London’s Earls Court on Sunday.

Miss Venezuela named Miss World

Last year’s winner, Alexandria Mills of the United States, presented the crown to Sarcos when the final results were announced.

“I believe that the next Miss World should be a woman of responsibility and reason,” said Sarcos, who works for a broadcasting company, before
winning the title. “I believe the woman should be committed to the organization and help people in need. Beauty with a heart.”

Sarcos, who says her future ambition is to work with non-governmental organizations and children, is the sixth Miss Venezuela to win the crown in the pageant’s 60-year history.

“Winning means everything to me and I hope to take advantage of being a winner in a productive manner,” said Sarcos. “I’m unbelievably happy to have won and there are some incredible girls. I first and foremost want to help people in need. I would like to help people like me. I am an orphan. I would also like to help the elderly and troubled teenagers. As many people as I can.”

Miss Philippines Gwendoline Ruais was named the first runner-up, while Miss Puerto Rico Amanda Perez placed third.

In her new role, Sarcos will now spend the year supporting a wide range of global charity projects supported by Miss World’s “Beauty with a Purpose” program.

Click here to read more about Sarcos.