Nicaragua crowned Miss Universe, SA places in Top 20

Sheynnis Palacios of Nicaragua was crowned Miss Universe 2023 at the finale of the pageant held at the José Adolfo Pineda Arena in San Salvador, El Salvador on Saturday 18 November.

ALSO READ: Who is SA’s Miss Universe representative? Meet Bryoni Govender

NICARAGUA CROWNED MISS UNIVERSE, SA PLACES IN TOP 20

Sheynnis Palacios, who represented Nicaragua was crowned Miss Universe 2023 at the finale of the pageant held in El Salvador on Saturday 18 November. The 23-year-old beauty queen made history as this was the first time Nicaragua won the pageant. She was crowned by Miss Universe 2022 R’Bonney Gabriel.

Miss Thailand Anntonia Porsild was the first runner up, followed by Miss Australia Moraya Wilson as the second runner up. South Africa’s Bryoni Govender placed in Top 20 but did not make the Top 10.

ALSO READ: Bryoni Govender turns heads in El Salvador! Her best looks

HISTORY MADE AT THE INTERNATIONAL PAGEANT THIS YEAR

For the first time, the Miss Universe Organisation allowed married women and mothers to compete in the international pageant. Rikkie Kollé of the Netherlands and Marina Machete of Portugal are the second and third transgender entrants to compete at Miss Universe, following Ángela Ponce of Spain in 2018.

Camila Avella of Colombia and Michelle Cohn of Guatemala are the first married women and mothers to compete.

According to a press release by the Miss SA Organisation, the 72nd edition of the pageant also marks:

• The debut of Pakistan
• Return of Denmark, Egypt, Guyana, Hungary, Ireland, Kazakhstan, Latvia, Mongolia, Norway and Zimbabwe to the competition.

ALSO READ: Mzansi to Miss Universe: Three South African winners

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