Nicaraguan beauty crowned Miss Universe 2023 – A season that breaks many barriers

Sheynnis Palacios from Nicaragua beat 83 contestants to win the Miss Universe 2023 crown in the final in El Salvador. Photo MU

Sheynnis Palacios burst into tears as she received the crown from Miss Universe 2022 from the United States - R'Bonney Gabriel. Photo: MU

On the morning of November 19 ( Hanoi time), the new beauty queen burst into tears of happiness when her name was announced as the winner after three hours of intense competition. She was crowned by Miss Universe 2022 - American beauty R'Bonney Gabriel.

The Miss Universe 2023 crown race is fierce with many talented and experienced contestants who have competed and won high prizes in many other beauty pageants. Thailand's representative, Anntonia Porsild, won the Miss Supranational 2019 crown. Puerto Rico's long-legged representative, Karla Guilfu Acevedo, was also named first runner-up at Miss Supranational 2021. The Mexican beauty won the title of third runner-up at Miss Earth 2018. The Philippines' representative was in the top 12 of Miss World 2019 and the Nigerian representative reached the top 15 of Miss World 2017.

Vietnam's representative, Bui Quynh Hoa, missed the top 20. Quynh Hoa tried her best throughout the competition but failed to make a lasting impression in a race this year with many strong candidates.

This is the first time Nicaragua has won the Miss Universe crown in the 72-year history of the contest. Sheynnis Palacios is 23 years old, 1.8 m tall. She is a model and social activist in Nicaragua. The beauty was crowned Miss World Nicaragua 2020 and participated in Miss World 2021, entering the top 40. After that, she continued to compete in the Miss Universe arena, winning the Miss Universe Nicaragua 2023 crown.

The victory of the Nicaraguan beauty was not beyond the expectations of many people. Before the final round, she was voted as the most outstanding candidate by beauty sites such as Globalbeauties and Missosology . During the final night, she continued to shine in each round, receiving enthusiastic applause from the audience.

The first runner-up title went to Thai beauty, Anntonia Porsild. The second runner-up was Australian beauty, Moraya Wilson.

Before choosing the most talented girl of the night, the Top 3 contestants including contestants from Thailand, Australia and Nicaragua answered a common behavioral question: "If you could live for a year as another woman, who would you choose and why?". All three contestants had confident, sharp answers, impressing the audience.

The top 5 included representatives from Australia, Puerto Rico, Nicaragua, Thailand and Colombia. Miss Universe Colombia is one of the first two married beauties in history to participate in Miss Universe and she excelled in the top 5.

Previously, the Top 10 were announced including contestants from: Australia, Colombia, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Peru, Philippines, Puerto Rico, Spain, Thailand and Venezuela.

This year, the Miss Universe final format has changed. The judges will select the Top 20 and Top 10, instead of the Top 15 and Top 5 as before. 20 contestants will compete in swimsuits, then the 10 best performers will be announced and compete in evening gowns.

Beauties from Colombia, Nepal, Pakistan and Portugal entered the Top 20. Among them, the Nepalese beauty with a completely different appearance meets the beauty standards compared to many other contestants. The season respects differences and personalities. Photo: Ngoisao.net
Miss Universe 2023 is considered to have broken many barriers, becoming a colorful playground, honoring women of many cultures, origins, and religions.
This year, the organizers made a drastic change to the rules, allowing married women with children to compete. Miss Colombia, Miss Switzerland and Miss Guatemala were the first three married contestants to compete. The contest also featured two transgender beauties, Miss Universe Netherlands and Miss Portugal.
In addition, for the first time in history, Pakistan sent a representative to compete in Miss Universe. Representatives from Pakistan, Colombia and Portugal all made it to the top 20 finalists. In addition, Nepal's contestant - 22-year-old plus-size model Jane Dipika Garrett - also made it to the Top 20.