Miss Universe 2023: Memorable moments you missed from the ...
Loading Something is loading.
Thanks for signing up!
Access your favorite topics in a personalized feed while you're on the go.
Sheynnis Palacios became the first woman from Nicaragua to win the Miss Universe crown on Saturday.
But that wasn't the only memorable moment at the 72nd Miss Universe competition.
Here's everything you missed.
Athenea Pérez is the first Black woman to win the Miss Spain title.
Miss Spain Athenea Pérez during the Miss Universe competition. Courtesy of Miss Universe
Pérez, who placed in the top 10, said in her Miss Universe introduction video that she was raised by a single immigrant mother.
"I know that my story can help and inspire people," Pérez said. "Diversity is here, and diversity is now, it's today."
The 27-year-old is an advocate for racial equality in Spain and is using her platform to fight against interpersonal violence.
Miss Pakistan Erica Robin wore a burkini during the swimsuit competition.
Miss Pakistan Erica Robin during the Miss Universe competition. Courtesy of Miss Universe
Robin, who was the first woman to represent Pakistan in the pageant, wore a baby-pink burkini as she strutted across the Miss Universe stage.
Robin said in her Miss Universe bio that she "received some backlash from different sectors of the community" in Pakistan after she decided to compete, but she wanted to stand up for what she believes in.
"Despite these criticisms, I was ready to face any challenges ahead of me while maintaining my values as a young modern Pakistani woman, representing our rich culture and heritage, and showing the world that Pakistan can celebrate the success of women," she added.
She placed in the top 20 at the pageant.
Miss Chile Celeste Viel's mother won the same title 30 years ago.
Miss Chile Celeste Viel during the Miss Universe competition. Courtesy of Miss Universe
Viel's mother Paula Caballero has also held the Miss Chile title.
"I have her with me in all of this process," Viel recently told HOLA. "I'm living the same emotions that she lived, and that's priceless to me. She's accompanied me throughout this whole process and has shared some of what she's experienced."
Viel placed in the top 20 at this year's competition.
Miss Nepal Jane Dipika Garrett made history as the first body-inclusive contestant at Miss Universe.
Miss Nepal Jane Dipika Garrett during the Miss Universe competition. Hector Vivas/Stringer/Getty Images
Garrett is using her Miss Universe platform to advocate for mental and hormonal health, revealing that she has struggled with depression caused by her PCOS.
"I am a determined, resilient, and genuine woman who embraces her true essence and nature without fear," her Miss Universe bio reads. "My life experiences have molded me into the strong, bold, and courageous woman I am today."
Miss Colombia Camila Avella was the first mother to place at the Miss Universe competition.
Miss Colombia Camila Avella during the Miss Universe competition. Hector Vivas/Stringer/Getty Images
Avella, who is a journalist and mother, made it to the top five at Miss Universe.
The pageant queen recently told HOLA that she competed for the Miss Colombia title in 2018 but wasn't selected. After the Miss Universe organizers announced that mothers and married women could compete in August 2022, she decided to try again.
Miss Portugal Marina Machete is the first transgender woman to place at Miss Universe.
Miss Portugal Marina Machete during the Miss Universe competition. Courtesy of Miss Universe
Miss Spain Angela Ponce was the first transgender woman to compete at Miss Universe in 2018, and Machete will now join her in the history books after placing in the top 20 on Saturday night.
The 28-year-old flight attendant is also the first transgender contestant to win Miss Portugal.
"I'm most proud of the challenges I overcame with courage and strength," Machete wrote in her Miss Universe bio. "Leading me to develop humanity and kindness towards others in my life."
Noelia Voigt is the first Venezuelan-American to represent the US at Miss Universe.
Miss USA Noelia Voigt during the Miss Universe competition. Hector Vivas/Stringer/Getty Images
Voigt — who placed in the top 20 — won Miss USA in September, becoming the first Miss Utah to take the title since 1960.
The 24-year-old previously told Business Insider that she began competing in pageants when she was 16 and placed first runner-up three times before making it to the Miss USA stage.
Multiple Miss Universe contestants were candid about mental health during their introduction videos.
Miss Puerto Rico Karla Guilfú Acevedo during the Miss Universe competition. Courtesy of Miss Universe
Miss Nicaragua Sheynnis Palacios, Miss Puerto Rico Karla Guilfú Acevedo, and Miss Nepal Jane Garrett all used their platforms to discuss their struggles with anxiety.
There has never been a Miss Universe who also won Miss Congeniality.
Miss Spain Athenea Pérez during the Miss Universe competition. Hector Vivas/Stringer/Getty Images
After it was revealed that Miss Spain Athenea Pérez won this year's Miss Congeniality title, backstage correspondents Catriona Gray and Zuri Hall revealed that no Miss Congeniality has ever taken home the Miss Universe crown.
Miss Peru originally hoped to represent her country at the Olympics.
Miss Peru Camila Escribens during the Miss Universe competition. Courtesy of Miss Universe
In her introduction video after making the top 20, Miss Peru Camila Escribens said she wanted to compete in track and field at the Olympics before she was diagnosed with a rare brain disease.
Escribens made it to the top 10 of the Miss Universe competition.
Miss El Salvador lived just 10 minutes away from the Miss Universe competition.
Miss El Salvador Isabella García-Manzo during the Miss Universe competition. Courtesy of Miss Universe
Some women spent days traveling to the Miss Universe competition, which was held at the José Adolfo Pineda Arena in San Salvador, El Salvador.
But Miss El Salvador Isabella García-Manzo lived just around the corner.
The 20-year-old placed in the top 10 of the competition.
Read next
Beauty Style
