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Miss Universe 2023: 5 things about Sheynnis Palacios, the first Nicaraguan to win the crown
Miss Universe has crowned a new queen, Sheynnis Palacios of Nicaragua.
R'Bonney Gabriel, Miss Universe 2022, passed on the crown to Sheynnis during the coronation night of the 72nd edition of the pageant held in El Salvador on Sunday.
During the final Q&A, Sheynnis was asked: “If you could live one year in another woman's shoes, who would you choose and why?"
The Latina beauty queen answered Mary Wollstonecraft and articulated her answer by stating that Wollstonecraft "opened the gap and gave an opportunity to many women."
But who exactly is Sheynnis Palacios? Here are five facts you need to know about the new Miss Universe.
1. She is the first Nicaraguan Miss Universe.
Sheynnis Palacios was born in Managua, Nicaragua, on May 30, 2000. Her pageant journey started when she was still a student at La Salle Managua Pedagogical Institute, where she won the Miss Lasallista beauty pageant.
Her interest in pageants grew stronger when she won the title in Miss Teen Nicaragua 2016. Subsequently, she represented her country in Miss Teen Universe 2017, achieving a placement in the Top 10.
Additionally, she secured victory in Miss World Nicaragua in 2020 and reached the Top 40 in the Miss World pageant the following year.
As Miss Nicaragua, Sheynnis represented her country in the Miss Universe 2023 pageant. On the night of the finals, Palacios advanced into the Top 20, becoming just the fifth Nicaraguan representative to reach the semifinals, and later advanced into the Top 10, Top 5, and Top 3 as well.
Following the final Q&A, Sheynnis was announced as the pageant’s winner, becoming the first Nicaraguan Miss Universe and the first Nicaraguan to win any of the big four international beauty pageants.
2. She is a mass communication graduate.
Ever wonder where she got her articulate and impactful words for her winning answer in the Miss Universe pageant? Well, it turns out they come from her communication degree!
Sheynnis earned her bachelor’s degree in mass communication at the Central American University in Managua, Nicaragua. During her university years, Palacios was not only dedicated to her studies but also actively participated in sports, playing on her school's varsity volleyball team.
3. She is an animal lover.
Aside from joining pageants, Sheynnis spends her time with her loving fur babies.
On Instagram, the 23-year-old beauty queen shared some adorable photos of her furry friends and recently brought her dogs along to a pet party.
4. She advocates for mental health.
Sheynnis has been open about her mental health struggles. In a press conference after the Miss Universe pageant, Sheynnis revealed that she developed anxiety-related issues when she was 18 and a college student.
Having experienced mental health struggles herself, Sheynnis used her platform to initiate the project “Entiende tu mente” (Understand Your Mind), aimed at promoting mental health awareness and providing support for women grappling with similar issues.
5. She is a journalist and a TV personality.
Before joining Miss Universe, Sheynnis worked as a journalist and TV personality. This year, she joined the Nicaraguan TV show "Al Dia" as one of its hosts, using her platform to address social issues.
—CACM, GMA Integrated News
