MISS UNIVERSE 2023

An Evening of Real Change- Miss Universe 2023

The 72nd Miss Universe Finale was an empowering show that made thousands of hearts around the globe feel stronger and braver. In a remarkable evening, the universe witnessed a number of shackles being broken.

Hosted by Olivia Culpo, Jeanie Mai Jenkins and Maria Menounos, with backstage correspondents Zuri Hall and Catriona Gray, the selection committee consisted of a diverse range of professionals like Iris Mittineare, Sweta Patel, Halima Aden and Dr Connie Mariano.

The Universe roared as some crowd favorites made it into the top 20 while they were given a sweet surprise with some unexpected but absolutely deserving placements. The placements came from all continents and Miss Pakistan, Erica Robin, secured a placement for her country Pakistan in its first ever participation. The audience was beyond happy and proud to see Miss Nepal, Jane Dipika Garett, being placed and striding confidently with her advocacy of body positivity and PCOS awareness. Miss Portugal, Marina Machete, became the first ever transgender woman to place at Miss Universe and has hence made history. Miss Colombia, Camilla Avella, became the first mother and wife to place in the top 5 of the competition, changing the dynamics of pageantry towards a more inclusive brand.

Miss Philippines, Michelle Márquez Dee took home the Carnival spirit award while also bagging the Voice for Change challenge alongside Miss Puerto Rico, Karla Guilfu and Miss Chile, Celeste Viel. Miss Spain, Athena Pérez not only secured a placement in the top 20 but also won the Miss Congeniality award in the finale. It must also be noted that Miss Philippines has won the hearts of thousands with her black finale gown designed by Mark Bumgarner which pays homage to the traditional Filipino tattoo artist, Apo Whang- Od. Miss India, Shweta Sharda, secured a placement in the top 20 and additionally gained a place in the hearts of audience with her outstanding stage performance and backstage charm. Her walk on stage has become quite trendy and has earned the name ‘tornado turn’.

We were amazed by the top 5 this year which consisted of Miss Nicaragua, Miss Thailand, Miss Australia, Miss Colombia, and Miss Puerto Rico with the first three advancing into the final question and final look round. The final question this year was indeed exceptional as it asked the top 3 delegates which women's shoes they would like to be in for a year. During the final question and final look, Miss Nicaragua not only oozed out a magnetic charisma but also won the hearts of the crowd by mentioning Mary Wollstonecraft in her final answer. Her final answer was a symbol of her brilliance, her intelligence and her preparedness and it can be said without any doubt that the queen in the silver and blue gown deserved the Force for Good mouawad crown. We were happy to see Moraya Wilson, Miss Australia placing as the second runner up and Anntonia Porsild, Miss Thailand being the first runner up.

We were disheartened to bid farewell to our queen R'bonney Gabriel who has been an epitome of grace, brilliance and determination. With her advocacy of sustainable fashion she has inspired and motivated many people around the world to take steps towards sustainability. R'bonney bid us goodbye in a masterpiece red Rian Fernandez creation and also adorned a blue Gert-Johan Coetzee gown while wearing the Force for Good crown one last time.

Miss Universe 2023, Sheynnis Palacios has become the first representative from Nicaragua to win a Miss Universe crown for her country. The 23 year old is a mental health activist and audiovisual producer from Managua. Her advocacy for her reign is the promotion of mental health awareness that stems from her own experiences of anxiety. She is aiming to make mental health a normal topic in her country and now the universe.

It can be summed up by saying that the finale show was a delight to watch and the accessibility on YouTube gave the spectators a chance to see the show live without any hindrance. El Salvador indeed proved its brilliance in hosting all the delegates and throwing a spectacular show with one of the best productions that Miss Universe has seen in recent years. Miss Universe is heading over to Mexico next year as its host country and we cannot wait to see the magic of Mexico in the 73rd edition of Miss Universe.

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