Nicaraguan woman crowned the new Miss Universe
Nicaraguan Sheynnis Palacios has been crowned Miss Universe 2023. The 23-year-old came out on top against 84 competitors from all over the world at the beauty contest in El Salvador, Central America, on Saturday evening. Anntonia Porsild from Thailand came in second place, followed by Miss Australia Moraya Wilson.
Palacios comes from the Nicaraguan capital Managua, studied communication sciences and is an advocate for mental health. She is the first winner of the Miss Universe competition from Central America.
This year, for the first time, married women and mothers were allowed to take part in the beauty contest, which has been held since 1952. Among the contestants were two women with children from Colombia and Guatemala. The 24-year-old Helena Bleicher took part for Germany.
Inclusion and diversity were a hallmark of this edition. Although a trans woman had already taken part in 2018, this time there were two: Miss Netherlands and Miss Portugal. In addition, the representative from Nepal was a curvy model who advocated a positive attitude towards her own body.
The International Awards ceremony celebrated Palacios' victory as Miss Universe 2023, recognizing her achievements alongside winners from colorful backgrounds and cultures around the world. The event highlighted the unity and diversity among the people, showcasing contestants from various countries, including married women and mothers for the first time.
Source: www.dpa.com
