Sheynnis Palacios from Nicaragua crowned Miss Universe 2023
Sheynnis Palacios from Nicaragua is crowned Miss Universe 2023, marking a historic achievement for the country. The 23-year-old mental-health activist and audiovisual producer secured the title at the pageant in San Salvador, El Salvador. In addition to being the first Nicaraguan woman to win the Miss Universe crown, Palacios is known for her efforts in raising awareness about anxiety. She hosts a TV segment called “Understand Your Mind,” where she engages with emotional care experts. Palacios expressed her pride for Nicaragua on Instagram, stating, “Nicaragua, I feel you in my heartbeat, the sound of your marimba runs through my veins. I will show what Nicaraguans are made of.
Palacios made history as the first Nicaraguan woman to be crowned Miss Universe. She previously represented Nicaragua in the 2017 Teen Miss Universe pageant, earning a spot in the top 10, and participated in the 2021 Miss World pageant.
Who is Sheynnis Palacios?
Sheynnis Alondra Palacios Cornejo is a Nicaraguan model and beauty pageant titleholder who was crowned Miss Universe 2023. Having previously been crowned Miss Nicaragua 2023, she was the first Nicaraguan to win Miss Universe and the first to win one of the Big Four international beauty pageants.
Born: 30 May 2000 (age 23 years), Managua, Nicaragua
Height: 1.8 m
Nationality: Nicaraguan
The competition included contestants from 84 countries, and the judging panel featured model Halima Aden, “Queer Eye” star Carson Kressley, TikTok influencer Avani Gregg, along with two former Miss Universe winners: Janelle Commissiong of Trinidad & Tobago (Miss Universe 1977) and Iris Mittenaere of France (Miss Universe 2016).
The Saturday night event revealed the top 20 contestants after the preliminary competition and a global fan vote. Following the swimsuit round, the field narrowed down to 10, resulting in the elimination of the first “curvy” semi-finalist, Miss Nepal, and the first contestant to wear a burkini, Miss Pakistan. The evening gown round further reduced the contestants, and two rounds of Q&A left three finalists: Palacios, Porsild, and second runner-up Moraya Wilson of Australia.
In the final round, Palacios was asked whom she would spend a day in the life of, and she chose the 18th-century British philosopher and feminist Mary Wollstonecraft, praising her for breaking boundaries and providing opportunities for many women.
