On the radiant night of San Salvador, Sheynnis Palacios, representing Nicaragua, ascended the global stage as the newly crowned Miss Universe 2023. At just 23 years old, Palacios outshone 84 contestants worldwide, including Anntonia Porsild from Thailand and Moraya Wilson from Australia, in the 72nd edition of the esteemed beauty pageant. 

The event, judged by an esteemed panel including Halima Aden, Carson Kressley from “Queer Eye,” TikTok influencer Avani Gregg, and former beauty queens Janelle Commissiong (Miss Universe 1977) and Iris Mittenaere (Miss Universe 2016), saw Palacios emerge as a favourite early on. Her response to the final questions highlighted her admiration for Mary Wollstonecraft, the 18th-century British philosopher and feminist. Palacios expressed, “She was the first woman who paved the way for women’s rights,” a sentiment reflecting her advocacy work.

Who is Sheynnis Palacios? 

A Managua native, Palacios is an audiovisual producer and a recent communications graduate from Central American University (UCA). Following the confiscation of UCA by Daniel Ortega’s government, Palacios took a stand as a mental health activist. Her initiative, “Entiende tu Mente” (Understand Your Mind), a podcast featuring expert interviews, extends support to others grappling with anxiety—a challenge she’s personally faced, as shared on her Miss Universe Instagram profile.

Beyond the camera, Palacios believes the limelight can help address the world’s myriad issues. As described in her Miss Universe profile, her mission is “to work in the service of humanity, leading an editorial team and producing content and advertisements for international brands.” Her resilience shines through her words, revealing that she would choose kinesis if granted a superpower.

As this chapter of the Miss Universe saga closes, Sheynnis Palacios stands as a testament to the power of resilience, activism, and the pursuit of human service. Her victory is more than a triumph of beauty; it is an emblem of her dedication to mental health advocacy and her vision for a world enlightened by understanding and empowered women.