The 72nd edition of the international beauty contest which took place on the night of Saturday to Sunday in El Salvador crowned Nicaragua for the first time in its history. France was not selected among the twenty finalists.
There were 84 candidates aged 18 to 30 to claim the succession of the American R’Bonney Gabriel as Miss Universe . After three hours of ceremony at the José Adolfo Pineda Arena in San Salvador, it was Sheynnis Palacios (1.80 m), Miss Nicaragua, who was awarded the coveted sash and crown. At 23, this communications student participated in Miss Teen Universe 2017 then in Miss World 2021 where she finished in the top 40. This is the first time that the Central American country has won Miss Universe.
The ceremony opened with the presentation of each of the participants who gave their name then announced their country with energy. Diane Leyre, in a pretty little purple sequined dress, shouted “France” with great determination. The jury, comprising eleven jurors, was quickly presented with, among them, Iris Mittenaere, Miss Universe 2016. The Frenchwoman created a surprise by being chosen to participate in the election even though she had already been present two years ago .
“It’s a disappointment but especially for my country and the people who supported me”
Diane Leyre
Unfortunately for France, Diane Leyre was not selected among the finalists and quickly left the competition. “The preliminary show stage got to meshe confided after her elimination. I am surprised by the result. From the moment there were 14 of us already called, I understood that it was not good. There are large countries that have not passed, such as Brazil, the Dominican Republic and Mexico, and when these countries do not pass, France does not pass either. The girls must have been great on stage. On the other hand, there are two Europeans out of twenty, it’s hot! It’s a disappointment but especially for my country and the people who supported me. It’s like that. I missed my preliminary show , I was not good on stage, Miss Universe is unfortunately not just a voice. But I keep smiling, I was on stage, it’s already beautiful. »
Diane Leyre, alongside representatives from El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea and Finland, eliminated at the start of the Miss Universe 2023 competition Miss Universe
Olivia Culpo, Miss Universe 2012, and her two presenter sidekicks announced the names of the twenty finalist candidates. The representatives of Nicaragua, Spain, Puerto Rico, Namibia, Venezuela, India, Thailand, Chile, Jamaica, United States, Nepal, Peru, Cameroon, Colombia, Pakistan, Australia, Philippines, Portugal, South Africa and El Salvador were called . With each announcement, a portrait of each of them was broadcast.
The top 20 of Miss Universe 2023
- Miss South Africa : Bryoni Govender (27 years old)
- Miss Australia : Moraya Wilson (21 years old)
- Miss Cameroon : Issie Princess (22 years old)
- Miss Chile : Celeste Viel (23 years old)
- Miss Colombia : Camila Avella (28 years old)
- Miss Spain : Athenea Pérez (27 years old)
- Miss United States : Noelia Voigt (23 years old)
- Miss India : Shweta Sharda (23 years old)
- Miss Jamaica : Jordanne Levy (27 years old)
- Miss Namibia : Jameela Uiras (23 years old)
- Miss Nepal : Jane Dipika Garrett (22 years old)
- Miss Nicaragua : Sheynnis Palacios (23 years old)
- Miss Pakistan : Erica Robin (24 years old)
- Miss Peru : Camila Escribens (25 years old)
- Miss Philippines : Michelle Dee (28 years old)
- Miss Puerto Rico : Karla Guilfu (25 years old)
- Miss Portugal : Marina Machete (28 years old)
- Miss Salvador : Isabella García-Manzo (20 years old)
- Miss Thailand : Anntonia Porsild (26 years old)
- Miss Venezuela : Diana Silva (25 years old)
Read alsoCandidates, rules, jury, France’s chances… Everything you need to know about the Miss Universe 2023 election
The selected young women then followed with a parade in swimsuits. Very quickly, the selection continued with the announcement of ten finalists: Puerto Rico, Thailand, Peru, Colombia, Nicaragua, Philippines, Salvador, Venezuela, Australia and Spain were chosen, or six South Americans out of ten!
The perilous transition to oral
All the candidates reappeared on the air. Diane Leyre wore a beautiful white dress. Then, the ten finalists paraded in sublime evening dresses in a languorous manner while John Legend sang one of his hits on the piano. The evening continued with the announcement of the five finalists: Australia, Puerto Rico, Nicaragua, Thailand and Colombia, the first mother to participate in the competition, were called. They were asked to answer questions asked by the members of the jury.
The Australian contestant was asked about gender equality while the Puerto Rico representative had to say what she would bring to Miss Universe if elected. Then, the candidate from Nicaragua had to explain the qualities and values that guide her and what she would like to highlight. The representative from Thailand highlighted the topics she would address if faced with an assembly of students. Finally, Colombia confided what she would do if she lived the last day of her life.
Very quickly, the presenters announced the names of the three finalists: Miss Thailand, Miss Australia and Miss Nicaragua were chosen by the jury. Anne Jakrajutatip, the owner of Miss Universe, took the stage to talk about her desire to highlight powerful women, regardless of their skin color, age and personality. Finally, the three finalists each answered the same question: “If you could live for a year in the shoes of another woman, who would you choose? » All then paraded in their evening dresses to the ovations of the public before the verdict was announced.
Winners of Miss Universe 2023
- Miss Universe 2023 : Sheynnis Palacios, Miss Nicaragua (23 years old)
- First runner-up : Anntonia Porsild, Miss Thailand (26 years old)
- Second runner-up : Moraya Wilson, Miss Australia (21 years old)
- Top 5 : Camila Avella (Miss Colombia) and Karla Guilfú (Miss Puerto Rico)
- Top 10 : Athenea Pérez (Miss Spain), Camila Escribens (Miss Peru), Michelle Dee (Miss Philippines), Isabella García-Manzo (Miss Salvador) and Diana Silva (Miss Venezuela)
Winners of the Miss Universe competition
The most successful countries at Miss Universe
- UNITED STATES : 9 times
- Venezuela :7
- Porto Rico :5
- Philippines :4
- India, Mexico, South Africa And Sweden :3